Neonatal Sleep
Neonatal nurseries are the only alternative environment to a human womb that is offered to a preterm infant . The development of these nurseries and its accessories has now opened a new era in the management of these preterm infants .These nurseries by virtue of their sophisticated machines and experienced care givers are now offering a better chance of survival to these fragile infants .These preterm infants are now not only surviving this initial complicated period of their lives but also leading a healthy life comparable to a normal term infant .
Although the preterm infants are profoundly benefited by these nurseries, these infants are also exposed to the various elements of a typical nursery environment .Among these physical elements, the constant lighting, noise, and nursing interventionsare the pertinent ones that may have negative influence on the development and well-being of a preterm infant .These physical elements may cause various negative physiological changes in these infants .Among many, the sleep of a neonate is an essential component that is adversely affected by these environmental factors.
Sleep plays a significant role in growth and functioning of a human . It is essential for repair and healing of body tissues and processing and formation of memory (Zee & Turek, 1999).There is increasing evidence that sleep in infants stimulates various hormonal and physiological processes . This leads to adequate development of brain and other vital organs of an infant's body .Researches also suggest that sleep problems in an infant is more likely to culminate in behavioral, cognitive and emotional problems (Dahl, 1996) .The sleep holds a more premiervalue when it comes to a preterm infant . These preterm infants are still under process of their development; and sleep by virtue of its growth promoting and developmental potentials can be regarded as their essential need .
The sleep of a preterm is influenced by many internal and external elements .The nursery environment in this lieu can have profound influence on a neonate's sleep . As mentioned above, environmental factors like constant lighting, noise, movements and nursing interventions are notorious to adversely affect the sleep of a neonate .This effect on a neonate sleep can result in various short-term and long-term consequences on an infant's behavior and health .
The role of lighting has been well elucidated by a research conducted by NP Mann and colleagues (1986). In their study, the researchers compared the effectsofalternating night and day light vs. . constant lightning on an infant's sleeping pattern and weight gain . In this study, the researchers divided the infants into two groups . One group was exposed to alternating light pattern i.e. more light at daytime as compared to night time while the other group was kept in conventional continuous lighting environment . The researchers concluded that the infants in former group slept more hours on discharge as compared to infants in the latter group . In addition, the researchers also found that the former infants showed much better weight gain as compared to later .This signifies that the constant lighting environment employed in a conventional nursery can have deleterious impact on sleep and health of a neonate.
Similar to the effects of lighting, noise in a nursery environment has also been documented to affect sleep and cause various physiological alternations in a preterm infant .Widespread studies in this regard have concluded that noise can cause disruption of sleep and increased frequency of arousals in a preterm infant . In addition to these, raised noise levels can also elevate cardiac and respiratory rate culminating in arrest of heart and lung functions (Philbin & Klaas, 2000; Sparshott, 1995).
Lastly, newborn care, though very essential, can be a potent disturbing factor of a neonate sleep .Zahr and Balian (1995) have studied the response of newborn to various nursing interventions . They observed significant decrease in blood oxygen levels and increase in heart rate after such interventions .In another study, a positive effect of providing extended periods of non-disturbancewas recorded . This study has indicated that infants who were kept undisturbed for longer period have shown longer bouts of sleep and improvement in overall health (Holditch-Davis et al., 1995).Thus nursing care interventions are also liable to influence a neonate sleep .
Sleep deprivation resulting from above mentioned environmental factors can have various short-term and long-term impacts on a neonate's health . A sleep deprived neonate is more prone to have cardiac rhythms abnormality and cessation of respiration . Literature also points that impaired sleep can lead to decrease in pain perception and may also adversely...
(Harvard School of Public Health, 2013, p.1) Energy expenditure is decreased due to sleep deprivation because there is a decrease in physical activity as well as the body temperature being lowered. (Harvard School of Public Health, 2013, p.1) Summary of Literature The literature reviewed in this study has informed the study that children who sleep less hours each night are at a higher risk of becoming obese than children who sleep more
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.. drastically affects the body's ability to metabolize glucose, leading to symptoms that mimic early-stage diabetes." (Sleep Deprivation Symptoms) This effect on the normal functioning of the body can lead to reduced concentration and even to radical and uncharacteristic mood swings. For instance The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) has suggested that many social problems, such as road rage, may be caused, in part, by a sleep deprivation. (Sleep Deprivation Symptoms) Another
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