Baby bottle and other disinfection devices used during travel to low electrical voltage (110V) regions: A practical experiment with implications for baby, lactating mothers and patient safety.

ABSTRACT Background Baby bottle steam disinfectors are important for the disinfection of devices used with baby nutrition, lactating mothers and respiratory patients (e.g. nebulisers). There have been no reports to date describing the effect of incorrect voltage on thermal performance. It was the aim of this study to evaluate thermal output, at low (110V) voltage compared to 220V. Such data will determine if variation in voltage, results in temperature differences, constituting a microbiological safety risk. Methods Thermal performance was evaluated by positioning calibrated thermocouple probes in multiple locations operating the device at 110V and 220-240V. Results Within the upper tray at 220-240V, a maximum temperature (TempMAX) of 100oC was achieved, with the unit remaining at 90oC for 420 secs (A0=3000), whereas at 110V, TempMAX = 71.1oC, remaining at >70oC for 630 secs. Most importantly, when the lower tray of the device was examined at 110V, TempMAX = 48.6oC at one location, remaining >40oC for 1140 secs, whereas at 220-240V, the lowest temperature achieved was 86.1oC, with an A0 equivalence of A0=60. Conclusions This study showed that input voltage of 110V to the baby bottle steam disinfector had an adverse effect on thermal performance, by not achieving intended time/temperature combinations, compared to 220-240V. Parents of babies and infants need to be made aware of the microbiological safety risks of operating such devices outside the manufacturers’ specification. For the safety of babies, infants, mothers and patients, users must ensure that such devices are always operated safely within manufacturer’s specifications and instructions for use.