Electromagnetic fields produced by incubators influence heart rate variability in newborns.

Archives of disease in childhood. Fetal and neonatal edition · 2008 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5014

Study snapshot

PublicationArchives of disease in childhood. Fetal and neonatal edition · 2008

Study typeother

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Incubators are largely used to preserve preterm and sick babies from postnatal stressors, but their motors produce high electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Newborns are chronically exposed to these EMFs, but no studies about their effects on the fragile developing neonatal structure exist. AIM: To verify whether the exposure to incubator motor electric power may alter autonomous nervous system activity in newborns. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Heart rate variability (HRV) of 43 newborns in incubators was studied. The study group comprised 27 newborns whose HRV was studied throughout three 5-minute periods: with incubator motor on, off, and on again, respectively. Mean HRV values obtained during each period were compared. The control group comprised 16 newborns with constantly unrecordable EMF and exposed to changes in background noise, similar to those provoked by the incubator motor. RESULTS: Mean (SD) total power and the high-frequency (HF) component of HRV increased significantly (from 87.1 (76.2) ms2 to 183.6 (168.5) ms2) and the mean low-frequency (LF)/HF ratio decreased significantly (from 2.0 (0.5) to 1.5 (0.6)) when the incubator motor was turned off. Basal values (HF = 107.1 (118.1) ms2 and LF/HF = 1.9 (0.6)) were restored when incubators were turned on again. The LF spectral component of HRV showed a statistically significant change only in the second phase of the experiment. Changes in background noise did not provoke any significant change in HRV. CONCLUSION: EMFs produced by incubators influence newborns' HRV, showing an influence on their autonomous nervous system. More research is needed to assess possible long-term consequences, since premature newborns may be exposed to these high EMFs for months.

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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 typeother

Effect directionmixed

Populationnewborns in incubators (including preterm and sick babies)

Sample size43

Exposurethree 5-minute periods (motor on, off, on again)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In 27 newborns, turning the incubator motor off was associated with a significant increase in mean total power and HF component of HRV and a significant decrease in the LF/HF ratio; values returned toward basal levels when the motor was turned on again. In 16 control newborns with unrecordable EMF, background noise changes similar to those from the motor did not significantly change HRV.

Outcomes measured

heart rate variability (HRV)
total power of HRV
high-frequency (HF) component
low-frequency (LF) component
LF/HF ratio
autonomic nervous system activity

Limitations

EMF exposure characteristics (e.g., field strength, frequency) not reported in the abstract
Short-term measurements only (5-minute periods); long-term consequences not assessed
Small sample size, particularly within study (n=27) and control (n=16) groups
Study design details (e.g., randomization/blinding) not described in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "incubator motor",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "three 5-minute periods (motor on, off, on again)"
  },
  "population": "newborns in incubators (including preterm and sick babies)",
  "sample_size": 43,
  "outcomes": [
    "heart rate variability (HRV)",
    "total power of HRV",
    "high-frequency (HF) component",
    "low-frequency (LF) component",
    "LF/HF ratio",
    "autonomic nervous system activity"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In 27 newborns, turning the incubator motor off was associated with a significant increase in mean total power and HF component of HRV and a significant decrease in the LF/HF ratio; values returned toward basal levels when the motor was turned on again. In 16 control newborns with unrecordable EMF, background noise changes similar to those from the motor did not significantly change HRV.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "EMF exposure characteristics (e.g., field strength, frequency) not reported in the abstract",
    "Short-term measurements only (5-minute periods); long-term consequences not assessed",
    "Small sample size, particularly within study (n=27) and control (n=16) groups",
    "Study design details (e.g., randomization/blinding) not described in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "incubator",
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "newborns",
    "preterm",
    "heart rate variability",
    "autonomic nervous system",
    "HF",
    "LF/HF"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Exposure source is an incubator motor in a clinical setting; could relate to environmental/setting-based EMF exposure, though not occupational per se."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1136/adc.2007.132738
PubMed: 18450804

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