Cycled light in the intensive care unit for preterm and low birth weight infants
Abstract
Background: Preterm and low birth weight infants are at an early stage of development, and do not receive adequate maternal circadian signals. They are often cared for over prolonged periods of hospitalisation in neonatal intensive care units (NICU), where environmental circadian stimuli are lacking. Exposure to artificial light-dark cycles may stimulate the development of the circadian system and improve clinical outcomes. However, it remains uncertain whether cycled light (CL) is preferable to near darkness (ND) or continuous bright light (CBL) in fostering development and maturation, and reducing adverse neonatal health outcomes. This is an update of an earlier Cochrane review, last published in 2016.
Objectives: To evaluate the benefits and harms of CL in preterm and low birth weight infants compared to ND or CBL.
Search methods: We searched CENTRAL, PubMed, Embase, and two trial registries to September 2023. We also checked reference lists, and searched for retractions of included studies.
Selection criteria: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs in preterm infants (< 37 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA)), or those with a low birth weight (< 2500 g), admitted and cared for in an NICU or a step-down unit, comparing CL with ND or CBL.
Data collection and analysis: We used the standard review methods of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group to assess the methodological quality of studies. We used the fixed-effect model with risk ratio (RR) and mean…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 1,633 participants or records.
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