57 1. Ideal physical environment The NICU environment strives to provide the best medical care possible to the premature baby while taking the family’s privacy needs and emotional support into consideration. a) Light exposure: The more premature the baby, the more sensitive to light they will be – but, in all cases, continuous bright lighting should be avoided. Babies who are younger than 28 weeks of gestational age require continuous dim lighting. Once babies reach 28 to 30 weeks of age, they are exposed to controlled artificial light in the day and dim lighting at night to help them understand the concept of day and night. b) Noise exposure: The NICU has low noise levels as preterm babies still require functional maturation of the inner ear. High noise levels may cause damage. Preterm babies are at a much higher risk of developing hearing loss and, hence, healthcare providers and parents are advised to be mindful of the sound levels inside the NICU.
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