Noise Exposure in Preterm Infants Treated with Respiratory Support Using Neonatal Helmets

In many cases, assisted respiratory support is needed to ensure the survival of premature infants. The present study is focused on evaluating the noise exposure experienced by premature newborns under CPAPa respiratory support by means of a neonatal helmet to compare the discomfort measured in one-third octave bands, in terms of the curve of 40 phons, and analyzing the influence that HMEb filter placed on the helmets have during the delivery of oxygen-air, on the levels of sound pressure. Likewise, the influence of the levels of sound pressure is quantified at the ear level, in linear and thirds of octaves, depending on the air-oxygen flow of the neonatal helmet and of the filters placed in the helmets. The methodology used to reach conclusions in this study includes the application of the variance analysis statistical technique on a total of 4968 samples. This article highlights how the HME filters do not decrease levels of sound but, in certain situations, increase them. On the other hand, the levels of sound produced by the CPAP systems with neonatal helmets are tested to produce sound levels above those recommended by different organizations for NICUsc. © S. Hirzel Verlag.