[Incubator noise evaluation]

Measurements of noise produced by incubators and their associated live support equipment (oxygen central network)has been performed. In 33.3% of the incubators the noise level was above the standard specification (60 dB(A)) according to International Standards. Without live support equipment, the mean noise level was 58.9 dB(A). Using live support equipment with oxygen flow of 3,5 and 81/min, the mean noise level has increased to 60.5 dB(A) (P=0.53), 60.9 dB(A) (P=0.39) and 67.2dB(A) (P=0.017) respectively, showing a remarkable influence of the central gas distribution on the incubator internal noise. In 82.5% of the incubators using a plastic box over the infant's head an injecting moist oxygen/compressed air the noise level was above the standard specification; when oxygen proportion was increased the internal incubator noise level increased as well showing a statistically significant relationship between them. Measurements of impulse noise produced by incubators lateral access door handling has shown a 107.0 dB (F).