Rossella Frassoldati

Systematic review of maternal voice interventions demonstrates increased stability in preterm infants

We systematically reviewed how effectively maternal voice interventions supported the clinical outcomes and development of preterm infants. A total of 512 preterm infants were included in 15 studies with different designs, from January 2000 to July 2015. Live and recorded maternal voice interventions were associated with the physiologic and behavioural stabilisation of preterm infants, with fewer cardiorespiratory events, but the evidence was insufficient to evaluate the long‐term effects. Well‐defined determinants and clear setting conditions are needed for such interventions.

The ontogeny of fidgety movements from 4 to 20 weeks post-term age in healthy full-term infants

BACKGROUND Fidgety movements (FMs) are an early accurate marker for normal development. AIM The study assessed the ontogeny of normal FMs from 4 to 20weeks post-term age (PTA). STUDY DESIGN Longitudinal prospective study of healthy full-term infants video recorded every second week from birth to 20weeks PTA. SUBJECTS 21 full-term newborns were enrolled. OUTCOME MEASURES Temporal organization, amplitude, character, predominance in proximal and/or distal parts of the body and the presence of FMs in fingers and wrists were independently scored by three observers. RESULTS From 4 to 10weeks PTA, FMs were sporadic, becoming intermittent in 1-2weeks; they occurred in the proximal parts, with larger and jerkier movements in the following period. From 11 to 16weeks PTA FMs became smaller in amplitude and slower in speed, they were present in all body parts and were more continual than before. Rotational movements in wrists and ankles and finger movements with open hands appeared. From 17 to 20weeks PTA, FMs became more discontinuous and disappeared at 18-20weeks PTA. CONCLUSIONS Developmental course of FMs was seen between 4 and 20weeks PTA with changes in temporal organization, amplitude, speed and body parts involved. The best time for scoring FMs is between 12 and 16weeks PTA.

Hypothermia reduces seizure burden and improves neurological outcome in severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: an observational study.

To evaluate the antiepileptic effect of hypothermia and its association with neurological outcome in infants with moderate and severe hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

Mothers singing and speaking to preterm infants in NICU

Preterm infants are at greater risk for long-term morbidities, a problem representing also a growing public health concern. Early experiences can affect infants’ brain development, especially if conducted during critical periods of important growth. Early interventions involving parents in preterm infants care improve developmental outcomes for preterm infants, minimizing also the stress of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) environment. Mother-infant separation and alteration of maternal care soon after birth can lead to a wide array of adverse physiological, emotional and behavioural consequences that can persist throughout life. It’s suggested that Maternal Vocal Intervention (MVI) in NICU, as a specific form of environmental and interactional enrichment, as part of an individualized care and as a tool to involve families in early care of preterm infants, may be adopted by the health community as a standard of care.