Study on Why Newborns and Premature Infants Tend to Get Cold During Surgery and in Intensive Care Units Observing Brown Fat Activity and Body Temperature Differences

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the differences in how newborns and premature infants regulate body temperature, focusing on the role of brown adipose tissue and specific blood markers. The study compares full-term and premature neonates in intensive care units and during elective surgeries to better understand why premature infants are more prone to hypothermia. This prospective, observational research aims to fill gaps in knowledge about thermoregulation in these vulnerable populations. The study uses a mobile thermal camera to take detailed thermal images of neonates from the upper diaper area to the head, capturing temperature changes in various situations such as before and after surgery, kangaroo care, or therapeutic hypothermia. Blood tests measuring inflammatory markers, thyroid and liver function, glucose, and other parameters are collected alongside physiological data like core temperature and anesthetic use. The research includes two groups premature infants born before 37 weeks gestation and full-term infants born after 37 weeks. Parents or legal guardians provide consent before participation. The study involves monitoring neonates in the intensive care unit or during elective surgeries lasting over 30 minutes, with thermal imaging and blood sampling performed throughout these periods. Researchers assess brown adipose tissue activity through temperature data collected over two years. Additional laboratory markers related to thermogenesis and organ function are followed for up to three years to understand the biological mechanisms behind temperature regulation in newborns.

Investigation of the Mechanisms of the Tendency to Hypothermia in Newborns and Premature Neonates