Hospital treatment environments have become a major concern in recent years. Noise and illumination are potential stress sources in hospitals. The purpose ofthis study was to examine the effects of hospital noise levels and ambient illumination on newborn infants (neonates). Noise levels and lighting were varied and the effect upon neonatal heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, and oxygen consumption were measured. These measures are sensitive tosympathetic nervous system reactivity such as that brought about by stressful environments. In addition, noise and lighting levels were measured to determine if differences existed across conditions. Psychophysiological responses to various noise and lighting levels varied within and across neonates with some changes in the expected direction. Some unexpected results of Quiet Time were noted among neonatal intensive care staff and hospital personnel.

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No description available.

No description available.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Objectives: To determine (1) whether prescribed and delivered energy and protein intakes during the first two weeks of life met Ziegler’s estimated requirements for Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) infants, (2) if actual energy during the first week of life correlated with time to regain birth weight and reach full enteral nutrition (EN) defined as 100 kcal/kg/day, (3) if growth velocity from time to reach full EN to 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age (PMA) met Ziegler’s estimated fetal growth velocity (16 g/kg/day), and (4) growth outcomes at 36 weeks’ PMA. Study design: Observational study of feeding, early nutrition and early growth of 40 VLBW infants ≤ 30 weeks GA at birth in three newborn intensive care units NICUs. Results: During the first week of life, the percentages of prescribed and delivered energy (69% [65 kcal/kg/day]) and protein (89% [3.1 g/kg/day]) were significantly less than theoretical estimated requirements. Delivered intakes were 15% less than prescribed because of numerous interruptions in delivery and medical complications. During the second week, the delivered intakes of energy (90% [86 kcal/kg/day]) and protein (102% [3.5 g/kg/day]) improved although the differences between prescribed and delivered were consistently 15%. Energy but not protein intake during the first week was significantly related to time to reach full EN. Neither energy nor protein intake significantly correlated with days to return to birth weight. The average growth velocity from the age that full EN was attained to 36 weeks’ PMA (15 g/kg/day) was significantly less than the theoretical estimated fetal growth velocity (16 g/kg/day) (p<0.03). A difference of 1 g/kg/day represents a total deficit of 42 - 54 grams over the course of a month. At 36 weeks’ PMA, 53% of the VLBW infants had extrauterine growth restriction, or EUGR (<10th percentile) on the Fenton growth grid and 34% had EUGR on the Lubchenco growth grid. Conclusions: The delivered nutrient intakes were consistently less than 15% of the prescribed intakes. Growth velocity between the age when full EN was achieved and 36 weeks’ PMA was 6.7% lower than Ziegler’s estimate. One-third to one-half of the infants have EUGR at 36 weeks’ PMA.

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No description available.

Crying is the primary source of distal communication through which newborn and young infants’ needs are related to the caregiving environment and, as such, this social behavior is vital to the survival and development of the infant. Recently, a series of experimental studies has begun to isolate the effects of specific durational components of crying on adults’ perceptions of infant cries. These studies have found the duration of pauses within and between cries to be perceptually salient features, however, the point at which adults were able to detect changes in the duration of the pauses was not addressed. Seventy-five introductory psychology students participated in three experiments designed to determine Difference Thresholds for the point at which manipulations in the durations of pauses before and after the inspiration in infant cries were detectable by the adult listener. The Difference Threshold for the pause before the inspiration (PBI) with the duration of the pause after the inspiration (PAI) held constant was an increase of 354.18% in the duration of the PBI. Difference Thresholds for increases and decreases in the duration of the PAI were 58.53% and -61.91%, respectively. For increases and decreases in the duration of the PAI with a perceptibly longer PBI, Difference Thresholds were 39.82% and -57.6%, respectively. The Difference Threshold for an increase in the duration of the PBI with a perceptibly shorter duration of the PAI was 420.06% and the Difference Threshold for a decrease in the duration of the PBI with a perceptibly longer duration of the PAI was 485.61%. Results provided the first known experimental evidence of the point at which changes in the durations of pauses before and after the inspiration in infant crying are detectable by adult listeners. / Master of Science

published_or_final_version / Paediatrics / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Clinical Psychology / Doctoral / Doctor of Psychology