Infrared thermal imaging as a method to study thermogenesis in the neonatal lamb

The combination of heat generation and reducing heat loss from the skin surface is important for maintaining core body temperature in a neonate. Thermogenesis studies traditionally focus on measurement of core body temperature but not the contribution of radiated heat loss at the skin surface. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of using thermal imaging to measure radiated heat loss in newborn lambs. Continuous thermal images of newborn lambs were captured for 30 min each during the baseline (11-18°C), cold-exposure (0°C) and recovery (11-18°C) periods by using an infrared camera. Core body temperature measured by rectal thermometer was also recorded at the end of each period. In all, 7 of the 10 lambs evaluated had reduced rectal temperatures (0.4-1°C) between the baseline and recovery periods, while three maintained body temperature despite cold exposure. During the baseline period, infrared heat loss was relatively stable, followed by a rapid decrease of 5°C within 5 min of cold exposure. Heat loss continued to decrease linearly in the cold-exposure period by a further 10°C, but increased rapidly to baseline levels during the recovery period. A temperature change of between 20°C and 35°C was observed during the study, which was likely to be due to changes in vasoconstriction in the skin to conserve heat. The present study has highlighted the sensitivity of infrared thermal imaging to estimate heat loss from the skin in the newborn lamb and shown that rapid changes in heat loss occur in response to cold exposure.