Journal of Paediatrics and Child HealthVolume 51, Issue 10 p. 1044-1044 Heads UpFree Access Single rooms for preterm infants First published: 01 October 2015 https://doi.org/10.1111/jpc.13004_2AboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat The use of single-family rooms rather than open wards for neonates is controversial. Reported benefits in observational studies include more rapid achievement of full enteric feeds, fewer apnoeas, reduced mortality, reduced nosocomial sepsis and improvements in breastfeeding and parental satisfaction. Negative include increased staffing requirements, poorer parent–staff interaction and increased maternal stress. A US study compared medical and neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants <1500 g birthweight cared for in one neonatal unit from 2008 to 2012: 151 infants in an open-bay neonatal unit and 252 infants after transition to a single-family room unit.1 Infants from the single-family rooms achieved full enteric feeds at a lower gestational age, gained weight faster and were significantly heavier at discharge. They required fewer medical procedures and had less pain and less physiological stress. They were assessed as less hypertonic and less lethargic. As this was a longitudinal study it is open to ascertainment bias and some of the improvements may have been due to improved resources. The authors cited increased maternal involvement as causing the decreases in medical procedures, stress and pain. Other improvements were attributed to increased developmental support. Nurses reported a more positive work environment. Single-room neonatal units may be the future. Reference 1Lester BM, Hawes K, Abar B et al. Single-family room care and neurobehavioral and medical outcomes in preterm infants. Pediatrics 2014; 134: 754– 760. CrossrefPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar Reviewer: David Isaacs, david.isaacs@health.nsw.gov.au, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney Volume51, Issue10October 2015Pages 1044-1044 ReferencesRelatedInformation