Early exposure to maternal voice: Effects on preterm infants development

BackgroundPreterm 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.AimsTo investigate the effect of the exposure to maternal voice, administered by bone conduction, on preterm infants autonomic and neurobehavioral development.Study designLongitudinal, explorative, case control study.Subjects71 preterm infants with birth weight < 1500 g, born adequate for gestational age Outcome measures: vital and neurobehavioral parameters at term, neurofunctional assessment at 3 and 6 months of corrected age.ResultsInfants 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 3 months of corrected age was higher in the treatment group whereas no difference between the two groups was detected at 6 months of corrected age.ConclusionsEarly exposure to maternal voice exerts a beneficial effect on preterm infants autonomic and neurobehavioral development.