Synthesis and Validation of a Weatherproof Nursery Design
That Eliminates Tropical Evening-Fever Syndrome in Neonates
That Eliminates Tropical Evening-Fever Syndrome in Neonates
File(s)
Author(s)
Amadi, HO
Mohammed, LI
Kawuwa, MB
Oyedokun, A
Mohammed, H
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Neonatal thermal stabilisation can become challenging when uncontrollable factors result in excessive body temperature.
Hyperthermia can rapidly slow down baby’s progress and response to treatment. High sunlight intensity in tropical countries
such as Nigeria manifests in incessant high neonatal temperatures towards early evenings.The ugly consequences of this neonatal
evening-fever syndrome (EFS) can only be eradicated by the development of a controlled weatherproof nursery environment. Two
laboratories and a ‘control ward’ were applied. Lab-2 was a renovation of an existing room in a manner that could correct an
existing nursery. Lab-1 was an entirely new building idea. The laboratories were assessed based on comparative ability to maintain
environmental coolness and neonatal thermal stability during hot days. Data collection continued for 12 full calendar months. On
average, at evaluated out-wind peak temperature of 43∘C (range: 41∘C–46∘C), the control-ward peak was at 39∘C, Lab-2 peak at
36∘C, and Lab-1 peak at 33∘C. All incubators in the control overheated during the hot periods but there was no overheating in
Lab-1. Forty-four (86%) of sampled babies were fever-quenched by water sponging 131 times in the control whilst only one baby
received same treatment in Lab-1. Nursery designs patterned after Lab-1 can significantly reduce EFS-induced neonatal morbidity.
Hyperthermia can rapidly slow down baby’s progress and response to treatment. High sunlight intensity in tropical countries
such as Nigeria manifests in incessant high neonatal temperatures towards early evenings.The ugly consequences of this neonatal
evening-fever syndrome (EFS) can only be eradicated by the development of a controlled weatherproof nursery environment. Two
laboratories and a ‘control ward’ were applied. Lab-2 was a renovation of an existing room in a manner that could correct an
existing nursery. Lab-1 was an entirely new building idea. The laboratories were assessed based on comparative ability to maintain
environmental coolness and neonatal thermal stability during hot days. Data collection continued for 12 full calendar months. On
average, at evaluated out-wind peak temperature of 43∘C (range: 41∘C–46∘C), the control-ward peak was at 39∘C, Lab-2 peak at
36∘C, and Lab-1 peak at 33∘C. All incubators in the control overheated during the hot periods but there was no overheating in
Lab-1. Forty-four (86%) of sampled babies were fever-quenched by water sponging 131 times in the control whilst only one baby
received same treatment in Lab-1. Nursery designs patterned after Lab-1 can significantly reduce EFS-induced neonatal morbidity.
Date Issued
2014-02-19
Citation
International Journal of pediatrics, 2014, 2014
ISSN
1687-9740
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Journal / Book Title
International Journal of pediatrics
Volume
2014
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2014 Hippolite O. Amadi et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution
License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly
cited.
License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly
cited.
License URL
Description
04.03.14 KB. Ok to add published version to spiral, OA paper
Identifier
ID 986760
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ID 986760