Comparison of Two Methods of Light Reduction on Preterm Infants’ Sleep Pattern in NICU

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine Effect of two methods of Light Reduction on Preterm Infants Sleep pattern in a neonatal intensive care unit Exposure to irregular extra uterine lighting and care in the nursery may contribute to disturbances in sleep and feeding patterns that are commonly experienced by preterm infants Reducing exposure to light by covering the isolate, recommended by guidelines of the Neonatal Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP). Patients and Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was performed on 71 preterm infant with gestational age of 28-32 weeks admitted at NICU of Al-Zahra hospital of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in 2014. Preterm infants were divided randomly in two groups.in the first) intervention) group incubators were covered with a thick cover and the face was covered with a cloth too. In the second group incubators were covered with a thick cover but the face weren’t covered. The light of environment was dim as a routine care for both groups. We ensured that no aggressive procedure had been performed at least one hour before evaluation time. We compared, time and length of sleep in both groups by use of sleep diagram during six days. Preterm infant’s sleep pattern observed and recorded in 20 minutes intervals during 12 hours on the first and sixth day and in 20 minutes intervals for 6 hours rest of four days of observation. Results: In the intervention group (face cover), the mean frequency of sleep during the 6 days increased by 2.96 times and the mean amount of sleep increased by 107 minutes, but in the control group, the mean frequency of sleep decreased by 3.21 times and the mean sleep amount decreased by 233 minutes.(p=0.0001).in other In the intervention group (face cover), the mean frequency of awake during the 6 days decreased by 1.04 times and the mean amount of awake decreased by 20 minutes, but in the control group, the mean frequency of awake increased by 1.3 times and the mean awake amount increased by 26 minutes.(p=0.0001).No significant different between to during feeding and crying both to group. Conclusion: This study showed that light reduction by both and incubator covers and eye shield, increases the frequency and amount of sleep in premature infants as covering incubator alone. And light reduction no effect to feeding and crying infant.