NOISE POLLUTION IN NEONATAL UNITS: A POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARD

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Abstract
Hospital noise levels were measured for 4 consecutive days every 2 h throughout the day in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a normal nursery room and inside infant incubators when the latter were associated with different types of life-support equipment. There was a difference in noise level between normal nursery and NICU. A considerable increase of noise was recorded when the infant received supplemental O2, was under ventilator or when an air compressor was in operation. High noise levels were the same during the day and night in an NICU. As many high-risk infants spend a long time in an NICU, there is a need for further evaluation of noise levels and their effect on outcome of infants.

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