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Randomised study showed that recorded maternal voices reduced pain in preterm infants undergoing heel lance procedures in a neonatal intensive care unit
Author(s) -
Chirico G,
Cabano R,
Villa G,
Bigogno A,
Ardesi M,
Dioni E
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.13944
Subject(s) - medicine , heel , neonatal intensive care unit , bradycardia , gestational age , oxygen saturation , anesthesia , heart rate , gestation , vomiting , prospective cohort study , pediatrics , blood pressure , obstetrics , surgery , pregnancy , oxygen , chemistry , genetics , organic chemistry , biology , anatomy
Aim Alleviating pain in neonates should be the goal of all caregivers. We evaluated whether recorded maternal voices were safe and effective in limiting pain in preterm infants undergoing heel lance procedures in the neonatal intensive care unit of an Italian children's hospital. Methods This prospective, controlled study took place from December 2013 to December 2015. We enrolled 40 preterm infants, born at a 26–34 weeks of gestation, at a corrected gestational age 29–36 weeks and randomised them to listen or not listen to a recording of their mother's voice during a painful, routine heel lance for blood collection. Changes in the infants’ Premature Infant Pain Profile, heart rate, oxygen saturation and blood pressure during the procedure were compared by analysis of variance. Possible side effects, of apnoea, bradycardia, seizures and vomiting, were also recorded. Results Both groups showed a marked increase in PIPP scores and decrease in oxygen saturation during the procedure, but infants in the treatment group had significantly lower PIPP scores (p = 0.00002) and lower decreases in oxygen saturation (p = 0.0283). No significant side effects were observed. Conclusion Using recorded maternal voices to limit pain in preterm infants undergoing heel lance procedures appeared safe and effective.