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Decreasing sound and vibration during ground transport of infants with very low birth weight

Journal of Perinatology volume 35, pages 110–114 (2015)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

To measure the effectiveness of modifications to reduce sound and vibration during interhospital ground transport of a simulated infant with very low birth weight (VLBW) and a gestational age of 30 weeks, a period of high susceptibility to germinal matrix and intraventricular hemorrhage.

Study Design:

Researchers measured vibration and sound levels during infant transport, and compared levels after modifications to the transport incubator mattresses, addition of vibration isolators under incubator wheels, addition of mass to the incubator mattress and addition of incubator acoustic cover.

Result:

Modifications did not decrease sound levels inside the transport incubator during transport. The combination of a gel mattress over an air chambered mattress was effective in decreasing vibration levels for the 1368 g simulated infant.

Conclusion:

Transport mattress effectiveness in decreasing vibration is influenced by infant weight. Modifications that decrease vibration for infants weighing 2000 g are not effective for infants with VLBW. Sound levels are not affected by incubator covers, suggesting that sound is transmitted into the incubator as a low-frequency vibration through the incubator’s contact with the ambulance. Medical transportation can apply industrial methods of vibration and sound control to protect infants with VLBW from excessive physical strain of transport during vulnerable periods of development.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge Clint White, MD, Randy Henderson, MD, Kerry Stewart, MD, Joseph Whitehead, PhD, Jerry Styron, Jim Helm, PhD, AAA Ambulance Service, Forrest General Hospital and an excellent editorial staff for their contributions to this project. This study was supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, #H325K080335. The contents, however, do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and endorsement by the Federal Government should not be assumed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Physical Therapy, William Carey University, Hattiesburg, MS, USA

    J Prehn

  2. Department of Rehabilitation Science, Health Sciences Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, USA

    I McEwen

  3. Health Sciences Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, USA

    L Jeffries & M Jones

  4. University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA

    T Daniels, E Goshorn & C Marx

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  1. J Prehn
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  2. I McEwen
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  5. T Daniels
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  6. E Goshorn
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  7. C Marx
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Correspondence to J Prehn.

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Prehn, J., McEwen, I., Jeffries, L. et al. Decreasing sound and vibration during ground transport of infants with very low birth weight. J Perinatol 35, 110–114 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2014.172

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2014.172

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