Objective: Newborns in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are exposed to noise that has been reported to have detrimental effects on the newborn. We aimed to examine noise levels and its contributing factors in NICU, and its effect on the vital signs of babies. \r\nStudy design: This is a prospective observational study. Sound levels in the each incubators were continuously recorded for the hospitalized infants during the whole NICU stay. Noisy periods over 45 and 65 dBA, hourly equivalent sound levels and percantage of the babies exposed to noise were calculated. \r\nResults: It was found that ratio of noise periods (RNP) > 45 dB was 35.26 % of total sound recording time (TSRT) for 57 babies. RNP levels with 45-65 and RNP > 65 were significantly increased in subjects staying 3 days or longer in NICU. Noise between 45-65 dBA appeared to be primarily related with staff activity between 6:00 am-18:00 pm. However, noise over 65 dBA was mostly recorded during hours of external staff visits and interventions. \r\nConclusion: We observed significantly higher heart rates and systolic and diastolic blood pressures and lower oxygen saturation levels during maximum noise periods.

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