Does Non-ionizing Radiant Energy Affect Determination of the Evaporation Rate by the Gradient Method?

  • Sveinn Kjartansson
  • Karen Hammarlund
  • Per Åke Öberg
  • Gunnar Sedin
Keywords: Newborn infants, evaporation rate, water balance, heat balance, phototherapy, radiant heater

Abstract

A study was performed to investigate whether measurements of the evaporation rate from the skin of newborn infants by the gradient method are affected by the presence of non-ionizing radiation from phototherapy equipment or a radiant heater. The evaporation rate was measured experimentally with the measuring sensors either exposed to or protected from non-ionizing radiation. Either blue light (phototherapy) or infrared light (radiant heater) was used; in the former case the evaporation rate was measured from a beaker of water covered with a semipermeable membrane, and in the latter case from the hand of an adult subject, aluminium foil or with the measuring probe in the air. No adverse effect on the determinations of the evaporation rate was found in the presence of blue light. Infrared radiation caused an error of 0.8 g/m2h when the radiant heater was set at its highest effect level or when the ambient humidity was high. At low and moderate levels the observed evaporation rate was not affected. It is concluded that when clinical measurements are made from the skin of newborn infants nursed under a radiant heater, the evaporation rate can appropriately be determined by the gradient method.

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Published
1991-09-01
How to Cite
Kjartansson S., Hammarlund K., Öberg P. Åke, & Sedin G. (1991). Does Non-ionizing Radiant Energy Affect Determination of the Evaporation Rate by the Gradient Method?. Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences, 96(1), 35-46. https://doi.org/10.3109/03009739109179257
Section
Original Articles