The preterm infant is subjected to prolonged exposure to ambient nursery illumination at levels that have been found to produce retinal damage in animals. We prospectively investigated the effect of exposure to light in two intensive care nurseries by comparing the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity among 74 infants from the standard bright nursery environment (median light level, 60 foot-candles [ftc]) with the incidence among 154 infants of similar birth weight for whom the light levels were reduced (median, 25 ftc). There was a higher incidence of retinopathy of prematurity in the group of infants who had been exposed to the brighter nursery lights, particularly in those with birth weights below 1000 g (86 percent vs. 54 per cent, P less than 0.01 by chi-square test). We conclude that the high level of ambient illumination commonly found in the hospital nursery may be one factor contributing to retinopathy of prematurity and that safety standards with regard to current lighting practices should be reassessed.

The present study describes the use of time lapse video recording or sleep‐wake states in human infants. Polygraphic studies were carried out simultaneously to evaluate validity. Six normal, full‐term infants were each recorded twice: first at 2 weeks and again at K weeks of age. Behavioral and physiologic states were scored from the video and polygraphic records, respectively, according to standard criteria. Interrater reliability for the video tapes was .92. In comparing the polygraphically determined states with the video scoring, a significant overall product‐moment correlation of .79 was obtained for all states and ages. Similarly, the individual state correlations at both ages were statistically significant between the systems. Wakefulness was the most highly correlated state. Active‐REM sleep was more highly correlated in the younger age group, while quiet‐NRKM was more highly correlated in the older age group.

The present study investigated whether the Brazelton Neonatal Assessment Scale predicts 10-week performance on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development and examined whether early temperament relates to performance on both scales. 18 normal, term infants were studied. Conceptual, a priori scoring dimensions were applied to neonatal assessments at a mean of 8.6 days. Infant temperament data were available for 12 of the subjects at a mean of 13.3 days, and mental and motor development were assessed for all subjects at a mean of 68.8 days. The results indicate that the total of a priori Brazelton scoring dimensions and neonatal state control were predictive of Bayley mental quotients at 10 weeks. Caretakers' judgments of temperamental intensity and distractability at 2 weeks correlated with the Bayley scales and the Brazelton dimensions. Furthermore, dividing the infants into worrisome and optimal groups on the basis of the total produced significant differences in Bayley mental scores.

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