THE EFFECT OF THE MOTHER'S VOICE ON THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY (A) AND tcPo2 OF VERY PREMATURE INFANTS

Abstract

TIVITY (A) JlND tcPo z OF VERY PREl-'ATURE INFIlNTS NOcker M, GOntner M, KP unIversIty ChIldren's Hospital Munlch/FRG Nine Infants of 26-29 w pt.'GA (BW 780-1270 g)were exposed to the rrother's voice fran a tape recorder via loudspeaker (at"'70 dB) 5x30' a 'day between 29 and 38 w PI'GA(for)(8.2 w) after conditions were .st.abt l lzed, At 2 days each week the babies' behaviour (applying an A rating frnm 1 =qulet sleep to 6 = crying) and tcPo 2 was recorded every 10"for 1 hour, once wlthcut and once with m's voice (30' after 30'''base line"). Results: A ano tcPo z varied significantly during tests In percent of "blanc" observations and wIth m's voice (table), but In the latter case significantly rrore often A Tevel fell (.6)(':'.5 po lrrt.s) P<.00l) and tcPo z level rose kPaj P<.005) during stlrrulatlon. Means of 15'perlods of A and tcPo 2 correlated Inversely (r =-.55). Conclusions: 1) Premature Infants react to acoustic stlrrull after 28 w pt.'GA, If hearing Is unlrrpalred and/or stronger stlrrull do not Interfere. 2) M's voice can tranquilize the baby Increasingly reproducible causing a transient Increase of tcPo 2 • 3) Recorded m's Changes (within 1.hl of 1Ict:iYity td'o voIce may serve as a (vanance analYS1S)

Cardiorespiratory Stability of Premature and Term Infants Carried in Infant Slings

“…1 The tactile/kinesthetic stimulation has been shown to have a positive effect on the infant's development. [2][3][4][5][6] A controlled, randomized study revealed that the frequency of crying decreases with additional carrying of infants. 7 However, this conclusion remains controversial.…”