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The regular rectal temperature measurement with a thermometer may show alarmingly low values. The premature brain cannot provide adequate temperature regulation. It must detect a high heat emission through the skin and respond to it. But the child's ability to stop water loss and increase skin insulation is limited and often just not enough. Even if the child tries to generate internal heat using its own energy as much as possible, it cools down gradually to temperatures around 30 C or even lower. Internal acidity develops and the child dies a toxic death. By simply providing external heat, it can be kept at normal body temperature and survive. The incubator operates with a thermostat that keeps the temperature of the air at a constant, adjustable value.
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