Measuring the quantity of light in neonatal care areas in a third-level hospital

Objective: This study aimed to determine and compare the amount of light in the different neonatal care areas in a tertiary care hospital and compare it with international recommendations. Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional, analytical, observational, and comparative study. This study measured and compared the amount of light in neonatal care areas, including the neonatal intensive care unit, intermediate care unit (neonatal isolation area and neonatal growth and development area), nursery, and the toco-surgery room. The three shifts in each area were also compared. Results: The toco-surgery room was the area with the greatest amount of light, with an average of 427 ± 149 (p < 0.001). In the neonatal intermediate care area, the amount of light inside the incubator was 258 ± 130 (p < 0.001), higher than in the common areas and bassinets. In the nursery area, on the night shift, the common area (p < 0.05) and the bassinet (p < 0.001) had a lower amount of light. Conclusions: The amount of light in all neonatal care areas was below 200 lux, within internationally recommended limits. Keeping the amount of light below these recommendations will decrease neonatal morbidity.