Repercussão do ruído nas condições fisiológicas de neonatos sob cuidados intensivos e intermediários

Abstract

Introduction: Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) and Intermediate Care Units (NICU) aim to provide an adequate and favorable environment for the development of the newborn. However, they may not be in accordance with current standards, being silent enough, as determined by ABNT (2017) and American Academy of Pediatrics (1997) regulations. These environments are noisy and can cause harm, such as hearing loss and physiological stress, such as changes in heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, in addition to causing hypoxia and changes in the state of sleep and wakefulness in babies. Aim: To verify the impact of ambient noise in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the Neonatal Intermediate Care Unit on the physiological conditions of neonates. Methods: The sample comprised full-term, moderately premature and very premature neonates admitted to a NICU and a NICU of a public hospital in the city of João Pessoa-PB. The noise level inside and outside (environmental noise) of the incubators and cradles was measured, in addition to the recording of the newborns' heart (HR) and oxygen saturation (SpO2). Statistical analysis consisted of Wilcoxon, Mann Whitney and Kruskal Wallis tests. Results: High levels of noise were identified in the units, exceeding the limit recommended by the ABNT standard. In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in the HR means at times of high and low movement in the units, while oxygen saturation levels did not show statistical significance. A correlation was identified between neonate’s SpO2 at the time of high movement with the age and weight of the baby in the NICU, that is, full-term babies with normal weight had better oxygen saturation than premature babies with low weight at high noise levels. Conclusion: Environmental noise interferes with the newborn's homeostasis, altering physiological parameters such as heart rate and oxygen saturation. In addition, the analyzed units do not meet the maximum noise recommended by current regulations, producing extra noise.