Am J Perinatol 2013; 30(10): 863-870
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1333669
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Weight Gain Velocity in Very Low-Birth-Weight Infants: Effects of Exposure to Biological Maternal Sounds

Emily Zimmerman
1   Department of Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Kristin Keunen
1   Department of Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Melanie Norton
1   Department of Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Amir Lahav
1   Department of Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
2   Department of Newborn Medicine, Mass General Hospital for Children, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

29 August 2012

16 November 2012

Publication Date:
04 February 2013 (online)

Abstract

Objective To examine the effects of biological maternal sounds (BMS) on weight gain velocity in very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants (≤ 1,500 g).

Study Design An exploratory study with a matched-control design. A prospective cohort of VLBW infants exposed to attenuated recordings of BMS during their neonatal intensive care unit hospitalization were compared with retrospective controls matched 1:1 for sex, birth weight, gestational age, scores for neonatal acute physiology and perinatal extension (SNAPPE - II) scores (n = 32).

Results A linear mixed model controlling for gestational age, chronic lung disease, and days to regain birth weight revealed that infants receiving BMS significantly improved their weight gain velocity compared matched controls (p < 0.001) during the neonatal period. No differences were found on days spent nothing by mouth (p = 0.18), days until full enteral feeds (p = 0.51), total fluid intake (p = 0.93), or caloric intake (p = 0.73).

Conclusion Exposure to BMS may improve weight gain velocity in VLBW infants. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of this noninvasive intervention during the neonatal period.

 
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