Carbon Dioxide Level in Neonatal Incubator: A Comparative Study of Two Baby Air Flow Input Methods in Incubator Chamber

Abstract

Preterm neonates often have to spend a long time in incubator which simulates necessary enviromental conditions to maintain patients in stable condition. Authors have found neglected problem with Carbon Dioxide (CO2) concentration in newborn inhaled gas when using “oxygen hood” into infant incubator that has not been studied very closely. Methods in this experiement were carried out as condition monitoring while changing some parameters and positions. Results have shown that CO2 level is letally high in some aspects. Situation is alarming as CO2 level in incubator is not limited by current regulation, as IEC60601-2-19: 2009 +A1:2016. Currently the Incubator manufacturers declare that CO2 maximal concentration should be periodically checked by users, which are hospitals. Some commercially available incubators have the maximum allowed CO2 level 8000 ppm, which is much higher than recommended 2000 ppm CO2 level in indoor working place. There is no limitation of maximal level of CO2 using “oxygen hood”, which are specified in incubator operation manual. This paper goal is to show the correlation of CO2 level versus gas flow into oxygen hood.