Italian researchers have found that electromagnetic fields produced by incubator motors can reduce the normal heart rate variability in newborn babies.

Heart rate is not constant when a person is at rest – it changes automatically as we breathe and with other changes within the body. As this heartbeat variability is normal, reduction in variability may be a concern.

In a study of 43 newborn babies, none of whom required incubator care, the heartbeat variability of 27 infants was measured as their incubator motors were turned on, off and on again. The results were compared to those of 16 babies who were exposed not to an incubator motor, but to a tape of noise mimicking the sounds of a motor.

Infants exposed to the motors showed reduced heart rate variability when these devices were turned on. Those exposed to the tape showed no change in heartbeat variability.

While the results did not find any evidence of actual harm produced by the incubators, they did show that these machines do not have a neutral effect on infants. The researchers have called for more research into the possible long-term consequences of this exposure. In addition, incubator design could be changed to include a shield to protect infants from electromagnetic fields produced by the motor.

References

Bellieni, C., Acampa, M., Maffei, M., Maffei, S., Perrone, S., Pinto, I., Stacchini, N. and Buonocore, G.   2008  Electromagnetic fields produced by incubators influence heart rate variability in newborns   Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed.. Online, available at : http://fn.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/adc.2007.132738v2  (Viewed on 6.5.08)

Sanderson, K.,  2008   Incubators seen to change babies’ heartbeats  Nature News. Online, available at : http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080501/full/news.200/.790.html  (Viewed on 3.5.08)