Radiofrequency exposure in the Neonatal Medium Care Unit

2017 · Unclear · Low evidence

← Research stream

UnclearLow evidencePaper 1397

Spot measurements had a mean field strength of 1.51±0.48 V/m, with higher values near a window and near the incubator evaluated. Long-term measurements inside an incubator over 17 h had a mean of 0.81±0.07 V/m and a maximum of 1.58 V/m; night values were high…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2017

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Radiofrequency exposure in the Neonatal Medium Care Unit I. Calvente, A. Vázquez-Pérez, M.F. Fernández, M.I. Núñez, A. Múñoz-Hoyos. Radiofrequency exposure in the Neonatal Medium Care Unit. Environmental Research, 152:66-72. January 2017. Highlights * The increasing use of RF-EMF suggests an urgent need for more research in this field. * Health consequences of RF-EMF exposure on infants are not well known. * Description of RF-EMF exposure is vital in further study mechanisms on infant health. * Considering newborns vulnerability, it is wise to adopt a prudent avoidance strategy. Abstract The aims of this study were to characterize electromagnetic fields of radiofrequency (RF-EMF) levels generated in a Neonatal Medium Care Unit and to analyze RF-EMF levels inside unit's incubators. Spot and long-term measurements were made with a dosimeter. The spot measurement mean was 1.51±0.48 V/m. Higher values were found in the proximity to the window and to the incubator evaluated. Mean field strength for the entire period of 17 h was 0.81 (±0.07) V/m and the maximum value was 1.58 V/m for long-term RF-EMF measurements in the incubator. Values found during the night period were higher than those found during the day period. It is important to consider RF-EMF exposure levels in neonatal care units, due to some evidence of adverse health effects found in children and adults. Characterization of RF-EMF exposure may be important to further investigate the mechanisms and underlying effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on infant health. A prudent avoidance strategy should be adopted because newborns are at a vulnerable stage of development and the actual impact of EMF on premature infants is unknown. sciencedirect.com

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 typeexposure_assessment

Effect directionunclear

PopulationPremature/newborn infants in a Neonatal Medium Care Unit (incubator measurements)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · spot measurements and long-term measurements over 17 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

RF-EMF electric field strength (V/m) in neonatal care unit
RF-EMF electric field strength (V/m) inside incubators
Day vs night RF-EMF level differences

Limitations

No health outcomes were measured; study focused on exposure characterization only.
RF frequency details were not reported in the provided abstract.
Sample size/number of units/incubators measured was not stated in the provided abstract.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "neonatal medium care unit / incubator environment",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "spot measurements and long-term measurements over 17 h"
  },
  "population": "Premature/newborn infants in a Neonatal Medium Care Unit (incubator measurements)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "RF-EMF electric field strength (V/m) in neonatal care unit",
    "RF-EMF electric field strength (V/m) inside incubators",
    "Day vs night RF-EMF level differences"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Spot measurements had a mean field strength of 1.51±0.48 V/m, with higher values near a window and near the incubator evaluated. Long-term measurements inside an incubator over 17 h had a mean of 0.81±0.07 V/m and a maximum of 1.58 V/m; night values were higher than day values.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "No health outcomes were measured; study focused on exposure characterization only.",
    "RF frequency details were not reported in the provided abstract.",
    "Sample size/number of units/incubators measured was not stated in the provided abstract."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "radiofrequency exposure",
    "neonatal medium care unit",
    "incubator",
    "dosimeter",
    "spot measurements",
    "long-term measurements",
    "electric field strength",
    "V/m",
    "day-night variation"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "exposure-assessment",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study characterizes RF-EMF levels in a neonatal care unit and inside incubators using spot and long-term dosimetry."
    },
    {
      "slug": "medical-settings",
      "weight": 0.6,
      "reason": "Measurements were conducted in a neonatal care (hospital) environment."
    }
  ]
}

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: Not supplied
PubMed: Not supplied

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library