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Moderate acoustic changes can disrupt the sleep of very preterm infants in their incubators
Pierre Kuhn1, Claire Zores, Claire Langlet
1Laboratoire d'Imagerie & Neurosciences Cognitives, UMR 7237 Université de Strasbourg/Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Strasbourg, France. pierre.kuhn@chru-strasbourg.fr
Insights
Moderate noise significantly disrupts the sleep of very early preterm infants (VPI). Even slight sound increases can cause awakenings, highlighting the need for noise reduction strategies in neonatal intensive care units.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Sleep science
- Acoustics
Background:
- Sleep is critical for infant development.
- Very early preterm infants (VPI) are vulnerable to environmental stimuli.
- Noise in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is a potential disruptor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of moderate noise on VPI sleep.
- To quantify sleep disruptions caused by specific sound levels.
Main Methods:
- Observational study of 26 VPI (26-31 weeks gestation).
- Measured sound pressure levels and recorded sleep states.
- Analyzed awakenings following sound peaks (5-15 dBA SNR) versus control periods.
Main Results:
- 598 sound peaks identified during VPI sleep.
- Awakenings occurred in 33.8% (5-10 dBA SNR) and 39.7% (10-15 dBA SNR) of sound exposures.
- Significantly higher awakening rates compared to control periods (p < 0.005).
Conclusions:
- Moderate noise levels disrupt VPI sleep.
- Effective noise reduction strategies are essential in NICUs.
- Minimizing acoustic disturbances can support VPI development.
Aim:
To evaluate the impact of moderate noise on the sleep of very early preterm infants (VPI).
Methods:
Observational study of 26 VPI of 26-31 weeks' gestation, with prospective measurements of sound pressure level and concomitant video records. Sound peaks were identified and classified according to their signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) above background noise. Prechtl's arousal states during sound peaks were assessed by two observers blinded to the purpose of the study. Changes in sleep/arousal states following sound peaks were compared with spontaneous changes during randomly selected periods without sound peaks.
Results:
We identified 598 isolated sound peaks (5 ≤ SNR < 10 decibel slow response A (dBA), n = 518; 10 ≤ SNR < 15 dBA, n = 80) during sleep. Awakenings were observed during 33.8% (95% CI, 24-43.7%) of exposures to sound peaks of 5-10 dBA SNR and 39.7% (95% CI, 26-53.3%) of exposures to sound peaks of SNR 10-15 dBA, but only 11.7% (95% CI, 6.2-17.1%) of control periods. The proportions of awakenings following sound peaks were higher than the proportions of arousals during control periods (p < 0.005).
Conclusions:
Moderate acoustic changes can disrupt the sleep of VPI, and efficient sound abatement measures are needed.
