Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026
Hemodynamic Precision in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit using Targeted Neonatal Echocardiography
Published on: January 27, 2023
Association between ambient noise and physiologic changes in neonates with single-ventricle physiology after the
Molly E McGetrick1, Sulimon Sattari2, Chetna K Pande3
1Heart Center, Children's Health, Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. molly.mcgetrick@UTsouthwestern.edu.
Objective:
To characterize ambient noise and acute physiologic changes in neonates after Stage 1 Norwood palliation.
Study Design:
We retrospectively analyzed synchronized sound and physiologic data from 12 neonates >36 weeks' gestation with a Sano or modified Blalock-Taussig-Thomas shunt during the first 48 postoperative hs.
Result:
Among 1,014,403 audio observations, 25th percentile ambient sound levels were 69.05, 70.35, and 70.75 dBA during postoperative hs 0-12, 12-24, and 24-48, respectively, exceeding published recommendations. Overall, 3936 noisy events were identified. Time in the noisy range increased from 47 min during hs 0-12 to 266 min during hs 24-48. Noisy events were associated with small heart rate increases, somatic near-infrared spectroscopy decreases, and epoch-dependent changes in mean arterial blood pressure.
Conclusion:
Noisy events were common after Norwood palliation and associated with small physiologic changes consistent with altered systemic perfusion. Prospective studies should evaluate whether noise reduction improves physiologic stability.