Preterm Infants: Light Effects on Health and Development

Preterm babies cared for in the intensive care nursery are exposed to amounts of light that are very different from the exposures to an unborn baby or the newborn term baby. Currently many nurseries try to protect premature babies from too much light. They may also try to create light conditions of day and night like many parent homes. Some studies have shown improvements in health and development of babies cared for in nurseries that try to change light for premature babies.

Infants received day night cycling of light on a 12-hour on and 12-hour off basis beginning at 28 weeks PMA

Infants received day night cycling of light on a 12-hour on and 12-hour off basis beginning at 36 weeks PMA

Cycled light was provided in an 11-hour-on, 11-hour-off pattern. Daylight (240-700 lux) was provided with the incubator cover folded on top of the incubator allowing light in from four sides, or with the bassinet cover off during day hours (0730-1830). With the daylight range of 240-700 lux and limited access to natural light, excessive daylight was prevented. Continuous near darkness was provided as (5-30 lux) throughout the day except from 0630-0730 and 1830-1930, when lighting levels varied based on nursing care needs at the change of shift. Near-darkness (5-30 lux) was provided by using incubator (totally covered or with the front flap back) and bassinet covers, and dimming individual bedside light during the day (0730-1830) and night hours (1930-0630).

Change in the developmental pattern of four sleep wake states (active, quiet, transition, awake) were evaluated during hospitalization.

Change in the development of sleep and wake bouts were evaluated following hospital discharge until the infant reached 24 months PMA

Neurological development was assessed by a neurological exam as either normal, suspect or abnormal and the presence of absence of Cerebral Palsy

Neurological development was assessed by a neurological exam as either normal, suspect or abnormal and the presence of absence of Cerebral Palsy

Every two weeks during hospitalization after 30 weeks PMA up to 52 weeks PMA and during outpatient visits up to 24 months PMA

Inclusion Criteria: Infants were < 7 days of age and were born at 28 weeks or < 28 weeks Exclusion Criteria: known anomalies associated with neurological or visual problems (e.g., congenital glaucoma, Down Syndrome)

Park J, Knafl G, Thoyre S, Brandon D. Factors associated with feeding progression in extremely preterm infants. Nurs Res. 2015 May-Jun;64(3):159-67. doi: 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000093.