ASSESSING BODY VOLUME & ENERGY EXPENDITURE IN INFANTS

这项研究计划的主要目标是开发一种 易于使用的非创伤性仪器，用于准确评估身体 正常和低出生体重儿的体积。次要目标是 将对能源支出的评估纳入同一机制。 所提出的确定体积的方法结合了已证明的 流体驱替方法，但使用了一个独特的概念，该概念允许 使用空气代替更传统的液体作为工作液 置换方法。能源消耗计量的加法 能力取决于使用集成式热交换器/量热计和 关于测量水蒸气中所含热量的能力 婴儿处于正常的呼吸和温控生理状态。

The primary goal of this research program is the development of an easily-usable, non-traumatic apparatus for the accurate assessment of body volume in normal and low birth weight infants. A secondary goal is the inclusion of an assessment of energy expenditure into the same apparatus. The method proposed for the volume determination incorporates the proven method of fluid displacement but utilizes a unique concept which allows the use of air as the working fluid instead of a more conventional liquid displacement approach. The addition of energy expenditure measurement capability relies on the use of an integral heat exchanger/calorimeter and on the ability to measure the heat contained in water vaporized by the infant in its normal respiration and thermal control physiology.