Odoardo Picciolini1, Matteo Porro2, Anna Meazza3, Maria Lorella Giannì1, Chiara Rivoli1, Giovanna Lucco1, Francesco Barretta4, Matteo Bonzini5, Fabio Mosca1. 1. NICU, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy. 2. NICU, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy. Electronic address: matteo.porro@mangiagalli.it. 3. Audio-psycho phonology Italian Association, Italy. 4. Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy. 5. Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine Research Centre, University of Insubria, Varese.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Preterm infants complete their development in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit being exposed to environmental stimuli that lead to the early maturation of the sensory systems. It is known that the fetus perceives sounds and reacts to them with movements since the 26th-28th week of gestational age. Maternal voice represents a source of sensory stimulation for the fetus. AIMS: To investigate the effect of the exposure to maternal voice, administered by bone conduction, on preterm infants autonomic and neurobehavioral development. STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal, explorative, case control study. SUBJECTS: 71 preterm infants with birth weight <1500g, born adequate for gestational age OUTCOME MEASURES: vital and neurobehavioral parameters at term, neurofunctional assessment at 3 and 6months of corrected age. RESULTS: Infants in the treatment group had lower heart rate values and a higher proportion of stable skin color at each study point as compared to the control group. The scores in the visual attention performance and in the quality of the general movements at term were better in the treatment group than in the control one. Neurofunctional assessment score at 3months of corrected age was higher in the treatment group whereas no difference between the two groups was detected at 6months of corrected age. CONCLUSIONS: Early exposure to maternal voice exerts a beneficial effect on preterm infants autonomic and neurobehavioral development.
BACKGROUND: Preterm infants complete their development in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit being exposed to environmental stimuli that lead to the early maturation of the sensory systems. It is known that the fetus perceives sounds and reacts to them with movements since the 26th-28th week of gestational age. Maternal voice represents a source of sensory stimulation for the fetus. AIMS: To investigate the effect of the exposure to maternal voice, administered by bone conduction, on preterm infants autonomic and neurobehavioral development. STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal, explorative, case control study. SUBJECTS: 71 preterm infants with birth weight <1500g, born adequate for gestational age OUTCOME MEASURES: vital and neurobehavioral parameters at term, neurofunctional assessment at 3 and 6months of corrected age. RESULTS:Infants in the treatment group had lower heart rate values and a higher proportion of stable skin color at each study point as compared to the control group. The scores in the visual attention performance and in the quality of the general movements at term were better in the treatment group than in the control one. Neurofunctional assessment score at 3months of corrected age was higher in the treatment group whereas no difference between the two groups was detected at 6months of corrected age. CONCLUSIONS: Early exposure to maternal voice exerts a beneficial effect on preterm infants autonomic and neurobehavioral development.
Authors: Karel O'Brien; Marianne Bracht; Kate Robson; Xiang Y Ye; Lucia Mirea; Melinda Cruz; Eugene Ng; Luis Monterrosa; Amuchou Soraisham; Ruben Alvaro; Michael Narvey; Orlando Da Silva; Kei Lui; William Tarnow-Mordi; Shoo K Lee Journal: BMC Pediatr Date: 2015-12-15 Impact factor: 2.125