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Sleep deprivation, pain and prematurity: a review study

Kelly Cristina Santos de Carvalho Bonan1, João da Costa Pimentel Filho2, Rosana Maria Tristão2

  • 1Centro de Enfermagem em Neonatologia, Hospital Universitário de Brasília, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil.

Arquivos De Neuro-Psiquiatria
|March 6, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Sleep deprivation and pain negatively impact premature infants' brain and behavior. Neonatal care programs show promise in improving sleep development and reducing environmental harm in intensive care settings.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Intensive Care
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Premature infants in intensive care settings experience significant sleep disruption.
  • Painful stimuli and the intensive care environment are major contributors to sleep deprivation in neonates.
  • The long-term effects of sleep deprivation on brain development and behavior in preterm infants are a growing concern.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the scientific literature on sleep patterns and sleep deprivation in premature infants within the intensive care environment.
  • To explore the association between painful experiences and sleep disturbances in preterm neonates.
  • To discuss the potential of hospital interventions and neonatal care programs to mitigate negative impacts on infant development.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature search across multiple scientific databases (Web of Knowledge, MEDLINE, LILACS, Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, VHL, SciELO).
  • Inclusion of studies focusing on sleep, pain, premature birth, and newborn care.
  • Analysis of findings related to polysomnography, pain management, and developmental outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Limited scientific literature currently addresses sleep in the intensive care environment for premature infants.
  • Evidence suggests a strong association between sleep deprivation, pain, and adverse effects on brain and physiological activity in preterm infants.
  • Few studies demonstrate that neonatal care programs can positively influence sleep development and reduce environmental stressors.

Conclusions:

  • Neonatal intensive care environments significantly impact sleep development in premature infants.
  • Interventions within neonatal care programs are crucial for improving sleep and mitigating the negative effects of the hospital environment.
  • Further research is needed to establish robust evidence-based strategies for optimizing sleep and development in preterm infants.

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