Womb-like sounds: An intervention for apnea of prematurity

We hypothesized that premature infants exposed to womb-like sounds would show decreased apneic, hypoxemic, and bradycardic events. We believed these findings could be explained by the auditory system exerting influence over the autonomic system and potentially enhancing parasympathetic tone in neonates. Twenty premature infants without comorbidities, 32 to 37 weeks corrected, were their own controls. Infants were exposed to four 6-hour blocks of alternating womb-like sounds with intervening silence. Continuous ECG, respiratory, and oxygen saturation data were collected. Cortisol and alpha amylase salivary samples were obtained at study onset and offset during the 24-hour study period. Intermittent hypoxemic episodes significantly decreased from study onset (p = 0.03), along with bradycardic episodes (p = 0.05). No reductions in apneic events, cortisol levels, alpha amylase levels, or changes in heart rate variability were found. Exposing premature infants to womb-like sounds reduces hypoxemic and bradycar...