Neonatal intensive care unit lighting: update and recommendations

Area of Science:

• Neonatal care
• Photobiology
• Environmental design

Background:

• Lighting in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) presents unique challenges, balancing visual needs with patient well-being.
• Diverse biological requirements of neonates, healthcare providers, and families must be considered.
• Light influences communication, visual tasks, and patient physiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the multifaceted effects of natural and artificial light in NICUs.
• To focus on light's impact on newborn infant development and physiology.
• To provide practical recommendations for optimizing NICU lighting environments.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on light in neonatal care.
• Analysis of light's role in visual function, infant development, and circadian regulation.
• Synthesis of findings to inform practical recommendations.

Main Results:

• Light significantly impacts newborn physiology, development, and circadian rhythm entrainment.
• Effective lighting facilitates visual tasks for healthcare professionals.
• Specific recommendations address both natural and artificial light sources for improved NICU environments.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing NICU lighting is essential for infant development and clinical practice.
• Consideration of biological needs alongside functional and aesthetic factors is paramount.
• Evidence-based recommendations can guide the creation of supportive lighting in NICUs.