title: Sound Environments Surrounding Preterm Infants Within an Occupied Closed Incubator.
abstract: Preterm infants often exhibit functional disorders due to the stressful environment in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The sound pressure level (SPL) in the NICU is often much higher than the levels recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Our study aims to describe the SPL and sound frequency levels surrounding preterm infants within closed incubators that utilize high frequency oscillation (HFO) or nasal directional positive airway pressure (nasal-DPAP) respiratory settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a descriptive research study of eight preterm infants (corrected age<33 weeks) exposed to the equipment when placed in an incubator. The actual noise levels were observed and the results were compared to the recommendations made by neonatal experts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increased noise levels, which have reported to affect neonates' ability to self-regulate, could increase the risk of developing attention deficit disorder, and may result in tachycardia, bradycardia, increased intracranial pressure, and hypoxia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The care provider should closely assess for adverse effects of higher sound levels generated by different modes of respiratory support and take measures to ensure that preterm infants are protected from exposure to noise exceeding the optimal safe levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe University, Hyogo, Japan. Electronic address: ashimizu@penguin.kobe-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Aya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.affiliation: Department of International Health, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe University, Hyogo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroya
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsuo
mesh_terms: D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007186:Incubators, Infant; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007564:Japan; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D061214:Patient Safety; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Developmental care; Environment; Frequency analysis; Preterm infants; Sound