Liquid crystal thermometry for early detection of hypothermia in newborns in neonatology ward, Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta

  • Tunjung Wibowo
  • Dwikisworo Setyowireni
  • A. Samik Wahab
Keywords: liquid crystal thermometry, hypothermia, newborn, digital termometer

Abstract

Background Hypothermia in neonates increases the risk of
mortality and morbidity such as infection, coagulation disorders,
acidosis and hyaline membrane disease. Mercury thermometer is
commonly used to detect hypothermia in newborns, but it has it
is not ecological acceptable, difficult to be sterilized, easily broken,
difficult to find in some developing countries and needs some
training before use. A simple, effective and easily used tool for
detection of hypothermia in newborns is needed.
Objective To evaluate the ability of liquid crystal thermometry
(LCT) in early detection of newborn hypothermia.
Methods This study was conducted in the neonatology ward,
Sardjito Hospital. The LCT was placed on the abdominal wall.
Digital thermometer measurement and LCT observation were
conducted three times in each patient. LCT’s color and body
temperature were documented by using a pre-coded questionnaire.
Results A total of 268 newborns met the inclusion and exclusion
criteria. The pilot study showed that the inter-observer agreement
of LCT was 0.75. Positive likelihood ratio during three
measurements were 22.9 (95%CI 11.47;45.78), 18.97 (95%CI
9.43;38.16) and 22.8 (95%CI 11.34;45.83) respectively.
Conclusion LCT exhibits good accuracy and is safe to diagnose
hypothermia in newborn.

Author Biographies

Tunjung Wibowo
Department of Child Health, Medical School, Gadjah Mada
University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Dwikisworo Setyowireni
Department of Child Health, Medical School, Gadjah Mada
University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
A. Samik Wahab
Department of Child Health, Medical School, Gadjah Mada
University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

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Published
2008-02-29
How to Cite
1.
Wibowo T, Setyowireni D, Wahab A. Liquid crystal thermometry for early detection of hypothermia in newborns in neonatology ward, Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta. PI [Internet]. 29Feb.2008 [cited 22Nov.2024];48(1):5-. Available from: https://paediatricaindonesiana.org/index.php/paediatrica-indonesiana/article/view/443
Section
Articles
Received 2016-09-04
Accepted 2016-09-04
Published 2008-02-29