Pediatric Pulmonology

Aeration properties of a new sleeping surface for infants

1 Ephraim Bar-Yishay PhD1,*,
2 Mark Gaides PhD2,
3 Avner Goren MD3,
4 Amir Szeinberg MD4
Article first published online: 26 OCT 2010
DOI: 10.1002/ppul.21351
Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Abstract Background

Prone sleeping position, use of soft mattresses and head covering by bedclothes are known risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Rebreathing carbon dioxide (CO2) may be a possible mechanism or a confounding factor of SIDS.

Design

To compare the aeration properties of a new concept of infant sleeping surface (Net) to three commercial mattresses advertised to improve aeration and to two standard infant mattresses.

Objective

Two experiments were performed: (I) A container (head box), filled with 7% CO2 mixture, was opened to the mattress to allow gas mixture to passively diffuse outside and equilibrate with the surrounding room air. (II) Simulation of normal breathing of an infant, using a unidirectional reciprocal syringe, to determine CO2 accumulation within the head box.

Methods

CO2 concentrations in the head box were continuously measured until CO2 levels fell below 1% or for 5 min (experiment I), or until CO2 accumulation levels plateaued or for 6 min (experiment II).

Results

The Net had a significantly faster rate of CO2 elimination (88.5 ± 4.6 and 91.9 ± 0.9 sec, Net alone and when covered with a sheet, respectively) compared to 238.3 ± 14.2 sec to 387.8 ± 7.9 sec for the other mattresses (P < 0.001). Only the Net was able to prevent CO2 accumulation with maximal CO2 levels (0.56 ± 0.03% and 1.16 ± 0.05%; Net alone and when covered with a sheet, respectively) significantly lower than the range of 4.6–6.3% for the other mattresses (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The new sleeping surface exhibited significantly better aeration properties in dispersing CO2 and in preventing its accumulation. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:193–198. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc

Pediatric Pulmonology

Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals Inc.
Edited By: Victor Chernick
Impact Factor: 2.239
ISI Journal Citation Reports ©
Ranking: 2010: 24/107 (Pediatrics);
25/46 (Respiratory System)
Online ISSN: 1099-0496

Pediatric Pulmonology, the Only International Journal Devoted to Both Basic and Clinical Research in Pediatric Lung Diseases! Pediatric Pulmonology publishes original laboratory research and clinical investigations or observations concerning the respiratory system during its entire development from the fetal stage throughout childhood and adolescence. The Journal seeks submissions in the following categories: Pathology • Developmental pathology • Sleep disordered pathology • Allergy • Immunology • Cellular and molecular biology • Thoracic surgery • Chest imaging • Pertinent otorhinolaryngology • Selected areas of adult pulmonology related to lung growth and late consequences of childhood disease.

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