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Neonatal Fetal Nutrition & Metabolism

Neonatal Fetal Nutrition & Metabolism 2: Neonatal Nutrition, Growth, and Outcomes

321 - The Effect of Maternal Heartbeat and Voice Sound on Resting Energy Expenditure of Premature Infants

Friday, April 28, 2023

5:15 PM – 7:15 PM ET

Poster Number: 321
Publication Number: 321.129

Gurpreet Kaur, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, new york, NY, United States; Sean M. Bailey, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States; Heather Howell, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NY, NY, United States; Stacey Schneider, Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone, west orange, NJ, United States; Elena A. Savvides, Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone, New Yotk, NY, United States; Pradeep Mally, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, NEW YORK, NY, United States; Sourabh Verma, Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone, New York, NY, United States

Presenting Author(s)

Gurpreet Kaur, MD (she/her/hers)

Fellow
New York University Grossman School of Medicine
new york, New York, United States

Background: Premature birth results in an abrupt transition from the nurturing sensory environment of the mother’s womb to the artificial environment of the intensive care unit. Exposure to maternal heartbeat and voice (MHV) sounds, simulating auditory uterine sensory environment, have been suggested as a promising non-invasive intervention that can potentially improve growth, increase auditory cortex volume, and reduce stress. The impact of MHV on resting energy expenditure (REE) of premature infants remains unknown, however these physiologic changes occurring at a cellular metabolism level are important to understand prior to adding MHV as an adjunct therapeutic modality.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to compare REE in premature infants exposed to recorded MHV sound vs. ambient noise. The secondary objective was to determine effect of MHV sound on vital signs.

Design/Methods:

A prospective, randomized trial with crossover of the effect of MHV sound on REE calculated using indirect calorimetry, of premature infants born at 26 to 34 weeks’ gestation age was performed. Inclusion criteria were hemodynamically stable premature infants with established feeding regimens and no respiratory support for atleast 48 hours. Patients with known congenital or genetic abnormalities, surgical conditions, and intraventricular hemorrhage were excluded. Maternal heartbeat sound and voice were recorded and digitally overlapped. The sequence of exposure to MHV vs. ambient noise was randomized. Vital signs, feeding, and physical variables (temperature, barometric pressure and humidity) were recorded.

Results: Among fifteen included subjects, the REE was significantly lower in infants on exposure to MHV when compared with ambient noise (62.3±10.7 vs. 70.2±10.5 Kcal/kg/day, p= .001). Fourteen (93%) subjects had a mean decrease of 12.8±7% in REE with MHV exposure, with no difference between those born at 26 to < 30 weeks vs. 30-34 weeks (p= .85); and those who received exposure early ( < 6 weeks age) vs. late ( >6 weeks age, p= .37) after birth. There was no difference in oxygen saturation, respiratory and heart rates between MHV sound and ambient noise exposures.

Conclusion(s): The REE of premature infants decreased on exposure to MHV sounds when compared with ambient NICU noise despite no difference in vital signs. MHV sounds may serve as a potential non-invasive therapeutic intervention to improve metabolic efficiency among premature infants helping with growth and potentially early discharge.