Premature Infant's Inability to Maintain Body HeatCurrent as of: May 4, 2017 |
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Premature Infant's Inability to Maintain Body HeatA premature infant's body is not able to maintain body heat. It's important to prevent hypothermia, which is a loss of body heat that can be dangerous. So the infant is kept warm on a heated bed. This may be inside a draft-free enclosure ( isolette or incubator) or under a radiant heater. As the infant's nervous system , skin, and metabolism mature, the infant is less likely to get hypothermia. At about 34 weeks' gestation , or about 4 lb (2 kg), a premature infant usually can be moved into an open crib. Current as of: May 4, 2017 |
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