A light/dark cycle in the NICU accelerates body weight gain and shortens time to discharge in preterm infants.
BACKGROUND
Bright constant light levels in the NICU may have negative effects on the growth and development of preterm infants


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to evaluate the benefits of an alternating light/dark cycle in the NICU on weight gain and early discharge from the therapy in premature infants.


METHODS
A randomized interventional study was designed comparing infants in the NICU of Hospital Juarez de México, exposed from birth either to an LD environment (LD, n=19) or to the traditional continuous light (LL, n=19). The LD condition was achieved by placing individual removable helmets over the infant's heads. Body weight gain was analyzed, as the main indicator of stability and the main criteria for discharge in preterm infants born at 31.73±0.31week gestational age.


RESULTS
Infants maintained in an LD cycle gained weight faster than infants in LL and therefore attained a shorter hospital stay, (34.37±3.12 vs 51.11±5.29days; P>0.01). Also, LD infants exhibited improved oxygen saturation and developed a daily melatonin rhythm.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings provide a convenient alternative for establishing an LD environment for preterm healthy newborns in the NICU and confirm the beneficial effects of an alternating LD cycle for growth and weight gain and for earlier discharge time. Here we provide an easy and practical alternative to implement light/dark conditions in the NICU.
Neonatology Department, Hospital Juárez de México, Secretaría de Salud.
Samuel
S
Vásquez-Ruiz
Neonatology Department, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, Secretaría de Salud.
José Alfonso
JA
Maya-Barrios
Neonatology Department, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, Secretaría de Salud.
Patricia
P
Torres-Narváez
Neonatology Department, Hospital Juárez de México, Secretaría de Salud.
Benito Rubén
BR
Vega-Martínez
Department of Anatomy, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México DF 04510, México.
Adelina
A
Rojas-Granados
Department of Anatomy, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México DF 04510, México.
Carolina
C
Escobar
Department of Anatomy, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México DF 04510, México. Electronic address: atatu3@hotmail.com.
Manuel
M
Angeles-Castellanos
D003624:Darkness; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007902:Length of Stay; D008027:Light; D008550:Melatonin / Q000032:analysis; D008800:Mexico; D008895:Milk, Human; D010092:Oximetry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D010351:Patient Discharge; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D015430:Weight Gain
D008550:Melatonin; D010100:Oxygen
Chronotherapy; Circadian rhythms; Melatonin; Neonatology