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HERO ID
3045645
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Impact of hospital-based environmental exposures on neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants
Author(s)
Santos, J; Pearce, SE; Stroustrup, A
Year
2015
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Current Opinion in Pediatrics
ISSN:
1040-8703
EISSN:
1531-698X
Volume
27
Issue
2
Page Numbers
254-260
PMID
25635585
DOI
10.1097/MOP.0000000000000190
Web of Science Id
WOS:000351677800017
Abstract
Purpose of review Over 300 000 infants are hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in the United States annually during a developmental period critical to later neurobehavioral function. Environmental exposures during the fetal period and infancy have been shown to impact long-term neurobehavioral outcomes. This review summarizes evidence linking NICU-based environmental exposures to neurodevelopmental outcomes of children born preterm. Recent findings Preterm infants experience multiple exposures important to neurodevelopment during the NICU hospitalization. The physical layout of the NICU, management of light and sound, social interactions with parents and NICU staff, and chemical exposures via medical equipment are important to long-term neurobehavioral outcomes in this highly vulnerable population. Summary Existing research documents NICU-based exposure to neurotoxic chemicals, aberrant light, excess sound, and restricted social interaction. In total, this creates an environment of co-existing excesses (chemicals, light, sound) and deprivation (touch, speech). The full impact of these co-exposures on the long-term neurodevelopment of preterm infants has not been adequately elucidated. Research into the importance of the NICU from an environmental health perspective is in its infancy, but could provide understanding about critical modifiable factors impacting the neurobehavioral health of hundreds of thousands of children each year.
Keywords
environmental health; neonatal intensive care unit; neurodevelopmental outcomes; preterm birth
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IRIS
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Phthalates – Targeted Search for Epidemiological Studies
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Source – Dec 2015 Update (Private)
WOS
Source - Jun 2016 Update (Private)
WOS
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