Behavioral responses to noise in preterm infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary referral hospital in South India

Background: The preterm infants admitted to a high-tech Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are defenseless to the adverse effects of the NICU, especially the noise present in the environment of the NICU. Aim of the Study: To determine the behavioral responses of preterm infants exposed to noise in the NICU. Materials and Method: Noise levels in the NICU were measured using calibrated Sound Level Meter (SLM) i.e, Hand Held Analyzer Type 2250, Brüel and Kjær, Denmark. Behavioral responses of the preterm infants were assessed using the ‘Behavioral organization of preterm infants’ scale. Results: The present study did not find any major changes in the behavioral responses of preterm infants over a period of seven days. All behavioral responses were normal although the noise levels in the NICU exceeded the recommendations. The maximum hourly equivalent sound L_Aeq of 62.12 + 2.24 dB A was found on the 2^nd day of the measurement. Conclusion: Though the study has found that the behavioral responses of preterm infants pertaining to the autonomic system, the motor system, the state system and attention/interaction system were not altered to a major extent, it is important to note that preterm infants are still exposed to noise levels that are exceeding the recommendations. This could probably affect the preterm infants’ behavioral responses overtime.