The incubator as a chemical warfare protective device in neonatal intensive care units

During the Persian Gulf war chemical warfare (CW) protective devices were distributed to the entire population of Israel. Neonates were to be placed in a protective infant carrier (PIC) or an improved PIC ('active PIC') to which filtered air was actively introduced by a blower. The specific needs of low birthweight babies hospitalized in intensive care units and treated in incubators were not adequately addressed. Transfer to a PIC meant disconnecting the infants from life-supporting systems and monitoring devices and exposing them to changes in ambient temperature. To overcome this difficulty the original incubator was used as a CW protective device. Its ports were sealed and low-grade positive pressure was created. This avoided transfer of the neonates from their controlled environment, reduced physiological stress, and improved medical supervision.