How to Control Exposure to Fifth-Generation Radiofrequencies in Preterm Newborns in Incubator

Neonatology · 2023 · Benefit · Low evidence

← Research stream

BenefitLow evidencePaper 440

Study snapshot

PublicationNeonatology · 2023

Study typeengineering

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

How to Control Exposure to Fifth-Generation Radiofrequencies in Preterm Newborns in Incubator My note: The study used a carrier frequency commonly employed with 5G; however, the analog signal generator could not produce a 5G signal so this was not a fifth generation RF study. Chardon K, Delanaud S, Tourneux P, Stephan Blanchard E. How to Control Exposure to Fifth-Generation Radiofrequencies in Preterm Newborns in Incubator. Neonatology. 2023 Jun 21:1-4. doi: 10.1159/000530658. Abstract Infant and family centered development care reduces infant distress and supports the parent and infant's individual abilities. However, a new environmental factor is daily encountered: the radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMFs) with the most recent fifth-generation (5G) technology. Currently, the effects of RF EMF during development are discussed in animal models. The neonatal intensive care units are not spared from this stressor. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a novel, electromagnetically insulating incubator cover to prevent the preterm infant from RF EMF exposure. A personal dosimeter was placed on the mattress of a closed incubator. Periods of exposure to low, medium, and high levels of 5G RF were delivered in the presence or absence of the incubator cover. The use of a silver-copper cover reduced the intensity of 5G radiofrequency levels from 52% to 57% (p < 0.0001), allowing to easily apply the precautionary principle. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Excerpts To measure the putative exposure of a preterm infant in a closed incubator (Inotherm® Médipréma SAS, France), we placed an individual dosimeter (EME Spy Evolution, Microwave Vision Group, France) on the center of the mattress. A 5G RF EMF was generated (APSIN4010HC signal generator; AnaPico AG, Switzerland) and delivered through 3.4–3.8 GHz amplifiers (RFPA, France). In order to mimic a person with a 5G cellular phone standing next to the incubator, a log-periodic broadband antenna (CFS 60383P, Laird Connectivity, OH, USA) was placed 50 cm from the incubator and 1 m from the ground. A novel incubator cover (grammage: 380 g/m2; Malterre, France) composed of silver-copper (42%) and polyester (58%) was developed for the study (Fig. 1).... The use of a silver-copper cover significantly (p < 0.0001) reduced the intensity of 5G radiofrequency at all three emission levels (Fig. 2). The mean percentage attenuation was 55.18% (7.10 dB), 57.36% (7.56 dB), and 52.16% (6.45 dB) at emission levels of 0.6 Vm−1, 1.7 Vm−1, and 3.1 Vm−1, respectively.... Our study carried out under conditions of use close to reality, taking into account the difficulties of completely covering the incubator, shows an attenuation much lower than the theoretical curve of the manufacturer (51 dB at 1 GHz obtained in accordance with the ASTM D4935-10 standard [14]). It is therefore necessary to remain vigilant to the proper implementation of the coverage. Complementary analyses were performed to ensure that the protection against other environmental factors provided by the tested cover was similar to usual polyester-cotton covers in NICUs (reductions of ambient noise by up to 0.4 dB and light by up to 70%). This suggests that further studies on device’s efficacy and benefit-risk balance in clinical settings with a more complex environment are necessary.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeengineering

Effect directionbenefit

PopulationPreterm newborns (exposure scenario in a closed incubator; dosimeter placed on mattress)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Using a silver-copper/polyester incubator cover reduced measured 5G radiofrequency intensity by about 52% to 57% across three emission levels (p < 0.0001), corresponding to ~6.45–7.56 dB attenuation. Complementary analyses indicated up to 0.4 dB ambient noise reduction and up to 70% light reduction, and the authors note the need for further clinical-setting evaluation of efficacy and benefit-risk balance.

Outcomes measured

RF EMF intensity/level attenuation in incubator with insulating cover (percent reduction; dB attenuation)
Ambient noise reduction (dB)
Light reduction (%)

Limitations

Signal described as 5G RF EMF but generated with a signal generator and antenna in a simulated scenario; real-world 5G signal characteristics are not detailed in the abstract/excerpts
No clinical health outcomes reported; outcome is exposure attenuation
Sample size and study duration not reported
Attenuation observed was lower than manufacturer theoretical shielding performance; proper implementation/coverage noted as important
Authors state further studies are needed in more complex clinical environments to assess efficacy and benefit-risk balance

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "engineering",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "incubator (simulated nearby 5G phone exposure)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Preterm newborns (exposure scenario in a closed incubator; dosimeter placed on mattress)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "RF EMF intensity/level attenuation in incubator with insulating cover (percent reduction; dB attenuation)",
    "Ambient noise reduction (dB)",
    "Light reduction (%)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Using a silver-copper/polyester incubator cover reduced measured 5G radiofrequency intensity by about 52% to 57% across three emission levels (p < 0.0001), corresponding to ~6.45–7.56 dB attenuation. Complementary analyses indicated up to 0.4 dB ambient noise reduction and up to 70% light reduction, and the authors note the need for further clinical-setting evaluation of efficacy and benefit-risk balance.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Signal described as 5G RF EMF but generated with a signal generator and antenna in a simulated scenario; real-world 5G signal characteristics are not detailed in the abstract/excerpts",
    "No clinical health outcomes reported; outcome is exposure attenuation",
    "Sample size and study duration not reported",
    "Attenuation observed was lower than manufacturer theoretical shielding performance; proper implementation/coverage noted as important",
    "Authors state further studies are needed in more complex clinical environments to assess efficacy and benefit-risk balance"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "5G",
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
    "NICU",
    "incubator",
    "preterm infant",
    "dosimeter",
    "shielding",
    "silver-copper cover",
    "attenuation",
    "3.4–3.8 GHz"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "5g-policy",
      "weight": 0.55,
      "reason": "Focuses on controlling exposure to 5G-associated RF in a neonatal incubator using a shielding cover."
    }
  ]
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1159/000530658
PubMed: 37343536

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library