Electromagnetic fields in neonatal incubators: the reasons for an alert

2017 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 2327

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2017

Study typesystematic_review

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Electromagnetic fields in neonatal incubators: the reasons for an alert Bellieni CV, Nardi V, Buonocore G, Di Fabio S, Pinto I, Verrotti A. Electromagnetic fields in neonatal incubators: the reasons for an alert. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2017 Oct 8:1-11. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2017.1390559. Abstract BACKGROUND: Neonatal incubators are important tools for sick newborns in the first few days of life. Nevertheless, their electric engine, often very close to the newborn's body, emits electromagnetic fields (EMF) to which newborns are exposed. Aim of this paper is to review the available literature on EMF exposure in incubators, and the effects of such exposures on newborns that have been investigated. METHODS: We carried out a systematic review of studies about EMF emissions produced by incubators, using Medline and Embase databases from 1993 to 2017. RESULTS: We retrieved 15 papers that described the EMF exposure in incubators and their biological effects on babies. EMF levels in incubators appear to be between 2 and 100 mG, depending on the distance of the mattress from the electric engine. In some cases they exceed this range. These values interfere with melatonin production or with vagal tone. Even caregivers are exposed to high EMF, above 200 mG, when working at close contact with the incubators. CONCLUSION: EMF have been described as potentially hazardous for human health, and values reported in this review are an alert to prevent babies' and caregivers' exposure when close to the incubators. A precautionary approach should be adopted in future incubator design, to prevent high exposures of newborns in incubators and of caregivers as well. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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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 typesystematic_review

Effect directionharm

Populationnewborns in neonatal incubators; caregivers working in close contact with incubators

Sample size15

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

The review retrieved 15 papers on EMF emissions from neonatal incubators and reported biological effects. Reported incubator EMF levels were about 2–100 mG depending on mattress distance from the electric engine, with some cases exceeding this range; these values were reported to interfere with melatonin production or vagal tone. Caregivers were reported to be exposed to EMF above 200 mG when working in close contact with incubators.

Outcomes measured

EMF exposure levels in incubators (mG)
melatonin production
vagal tone
caregiver EMF exposure levels (mG)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "systematic_review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "neonatal incubator (electric engine)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "newborns in neonatal incubators; caregivers working in close contact with incubators",
  "sample_size": 15,
  "outcomes": [
    "EMF exposure levels in incubators (mG)",
    "melatonin production",
    "vagal tone",
    "caregiver EMF exposure levels (mG)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The review retrieved 15 papers on EMF emissions from neonatal incubators and reported biological effects. Reported incubator EMF levels were about 2–100 mG depending on mattress distance from the electric engine, with some cases exceeding this range; these values were reported to interfere with melatonin production or vagal tone. Caregivers were reported to be exposed to EMF above 200 mG when working in close contact with incubators.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "neonatal incubator",
    "newborn",
    "caregivers",
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "EMF exposure",
    "melatonin",
    "vagal tone",
    "mG"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.62,
      "reason": "Abstract reports caregiver exposure above 200 mG when working close to incubators."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1080/14767058.2017.1390559
PubMed: Not supplied

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