Ray Sadhna S, Wilson Leana Phebe, Khan Zubair, Patil Pushparaj Nilkanth
Department of Pediatric Nursing, Shri. Vinoba, Bhave College of Nursing, DNH & DD, Silvassa, India.
Department of Pediatrics, NAMO MEDICAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE, Silvassa, India.
Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Mar 1;184(3):217. doi: 10.1007/s00431-025-06055-2.
Preterm neonates have immature body organs and even have stronger sensitivity towards environmental stress as compared with normal neonates. The NICU is a stress-causing environment because of noise produced from various sources like medical devices, monitor alarms, staff conversation, and the sound of cries from different neonates. The American Academy of Paediatrics recommends sound level should be less than 45 dB in NICU. A non-randomized, controlled, before-after, quality improvement, observational prospective cohort study was conducted on 100 preterm neonates. The samples were divided into two groups of 50 each: control and experimental. Physiological parameters were recorded, and the ABSS tool was used to assess behavioral responses. The control group received routine care, while the experimental group was provided with earmuffs. The study revealed significant improvements in physiological parameters and behavioral responses in preterm neonates using earmuffs. Experimental group neonates showed better thermal stability, reduced stress, improved respiratory and cardiovascular stability, and enhanced oxygenation (p < 0.001). Behavioral improvements included increased sleep duration and reduced restlessness, with statistically significant differences observed in all parameters compared to the control group.
We conclude that the application of Earmuff is a fruitful method for preterm neonates to improve and stabilize the physiological parameters and behavioral response.
• Excessive noise in NICUs causes stress and physiological instability in preterm neonates. • Noise reduction strategies, including ear protectors, help stabilize vital signs and improve neonatal outcomes.
• This study confirms the effectiveness of earmuffs in improving physiological and behavioral responses in preterm neonates. • It demonstrates the feasibility of earmuff use in routine neonatal care within the study region.
早产儿的身体器官尚未发育成熟，与正常新生儿相比，他们对环境压力更为敏感。新生儿重症监护病房（NICU）是一个会产生压力的环境，因为这里存在各种来源的噪音，如医疗设备、监护仪警报声、医护人员的交谈声以及不同新生儿的哭声。美国儿科学会建议NICU中的声级应低于45分贝。对100名早产儿进行了一项非随机、对照、前后对比、质量改进的观察性前瞻性队列研究。样本被分为两组，每组50名：对照组和实验组。记录生理参数，并使用ABSS工具评估行为反应。对照组接受常规护理，而实验组则佩戴耳罩。研究表明，使用耳罩的早产儿在生理参数和行为反应方面有显著改善。实验组新生儿表现出更好的热稳定性、压力减轻、呼吸和心血管稳定性改善以及氧合增强（p < 0.001）。行为改善包括睡眠时间增加和躁动减少，与对照组相比，所有参数均有统计学显著差异。
我们得出结论，耳罩的应用是一种有效的方法，可以改善和稳定早产儿的生理参数和行为反应。
• NICU中的过度噪音会给早产儿带来压力并导致生理不稳定。• 包括耳罩在内的降噪策略有助于稳定生命体征并改善新生儿预后。
• 本研究证实了耳罩在改善早产儿生理和行为反应方面的有效性。• 它证明了在研究区域内将耳罩用于常规新生儿护理的可行性。
