Abstract 1342 Poster Session I, Saturday, 5/1 (poster 22)

Introduction: Recording of the environmental sound levels in modern neonatal intensive care units (NICU) indicate a high level of noise pollution. The recommended standard of care is to maintain an hourly sound level below 50 linear decibels. A large contributor to environmental noise is equipment utilized in the NICU. CPAP provided by nasal prongs is an effective method of treating recurrent apnea of prematurity. A high sound level was noted during a randomized nasal CPAP trial comparing two CPAP delivery systems for the treatment of recurrent apnea of prematurity.

Objectives: To compare the sound level produced by the Aladdin Infant Flow System (Hamilton Medical) and the Infant Star 500 System (Infrasonics Inc.) during nasal CPAP treatment.

Methods: Five premature infants with apnea of prematurity who were being treated with nasal CPAP with two delivery systems in a randomized fashion of 6-hour intervals were included in this study. CPAP administered at 6 cmH2O was delivered by nasal prongs with the Infant Star 500 ventilator and with the Aladdin Infant Flow System. Sound level was measured with a Quest Electronics 214 Soundlevel Meter. The sound probe was placed at the level of the external ear canal. All infants were nursed inside the incubators. Sound levels with either mode of CPAP delivery were measured for 15 minutes.

Results: The mean sound level ±SD during the Infant Star CPAP delivery was 39 ± 5 decibels and during the Aladdin Infant Flow CPAP delivery was 60 ± 7 decibels, P=<0.001.

Conclusion: Sound levels generated by the Aladdin Infant Flow System and transmitted to the infant during nasal CPAP are significantly higher than the sound level generated by the Infant Star 500 System.