Noise and the premature infant: physiological effects and practice implications.
Premature infants in the neonatal intensive-care unit often are exposed to continuous loud noise. This excess auditory stimulation creates negative physiological responses, such as increased heart and respiratory rates and decreased oxygen saturation. Modifying the neonatal intensive-care unit to reduce noise levels provides an environment more conducive to maturation and recovery from illness. This article reviews the literature addressing the pathophysiology and physiological changes of the premature infant in response to stress and discusses practice interventions for decreasing noise levels in the neonatal intensive-care unit. These interventions include installing sound absorbing materials and minimizing conversations of the staff.
Bremmer
Pamela
P
Neonatal Intensive-care Unit, All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701, USA. bremmerp@allkids.org
Byers
Jacqueline F
JF
Kiehl
Ermalynn
E
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D004430:Ear Protective Devices; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000592:standards; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006339:Heart Rate; D006749:Hospital Design and Construction / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000592:standards; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings / Q000592:standards; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000379:methods; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D012119:Respiration