A prospective randomized crossover trial studying the effects of maternal heartbeat and voice sounds on resting energy expenditure in preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE

To compare resting energy expenditure (REE) among premature infants exposed to recorded maternal heartbeat and voice (MHV) vs. ambient noise.

STUDY

DESIGN

A prospective, randomized crossover pilot trial evaluating the effect of MHV on REE using indirect calorimetry in hemodynamically stable premature infants born at 26-34 weeks' gestation. MHV recordings were digitally overlapped, and exposure sequence was randomized.

RESULT: Among 34 measurements from seventeen subjects, REE was significantly lower during MHV exposure compared to ambient noise (61.4 ± 10.3 vs. 70.9 ± 10.3 kcal/kg/day, p = 0.0001). Mean heart rate was also significantly lower with MHV (144 ± 13 vs. 150 ± 11 bpm, p = 0.028), with no differences in other vital signs.

CONCLUSION

REE of premature infants decreased during exposure to MHV when compared with ambient noise. MHV may serve as a potential noninvasive therapeutic intervention to improve metabolic efficiency in premature infants, potentially helping with improved growth.