Caption

Baby under special care in an incubator has an apnoea monitor attached. Apnoea (the temporary cessation of breathing) is quite common in newborn babies. Although it does not usually indicate serious disease, it may in some cases be associated with incidences of cot death. Inside the incubator oxygen, temperature and humidity levels are controlled to provide premature or sick babies with ideal conditions for survival. An incubator also provides some protection from airborne infection. Portholes allow handling of the baby, and there are smaller holes through which the monitoring cables, and intravenous and respiratory tubing can pass.