Use of a Polyethylene Bag to Reduce Perioperative Regional and Whole-Body Heat Losses in Low-Birth-Weight Neonates

Table 1

Parameters used in the mathematical models’ equations to calculate regional skin heat exchanges. is the convective heat transfer coefficient kJ·h⁻¹·m⁻²·mb⁻¹ and and are reduction factors due to the thermal insulation provided by clothing (a diaper for the NW group and a diaper and a polyethylene bag for the W group). For the W group, was modified according to the transmittance of the polyethylene bag when calculating .

		(%)	(%)	The NW group		The W group
				Convection	Radiation	Evaporation
				Head	8.0	28	71.9	1	1	1	1	1
Trunk	12.3	23	69.4	0.68	0.62	0.63	0.62	0
Upper limbs	15.1	19	86.4	1	1	0.92	0.90	0
Lower limbs	14.6	30	86.5	0.91	0.91	0.91	0.89	0
Whole body	14.6	100	78.3

The NW group: control, nonwrapped neonates. The W group: wrapped neonates.