IMPACT OF THE NICU ENVIRONMENT
The environment is a potent source of stress for
infants in the NICU. The rationale underlying
neonatal intensive care is modification of the
extrauterine environment to meet infant's needs.Ideally the NICU environment should meet the
infant's physiologic or neurobehavioral needs, provide
a supportive milieu in which the infant can
respond without undue stress, support the infant's
emerging organization, and foster growth and development
(Blackburn & VandenBerg, 1993). This can
be accomplished via modification of both the
physical environment (light, noise) and caregiving
interventions (handling, positioning, organization
of care). The dimensions of the environment that
have generated the most concern are sound, light,
and caregiving interventions.