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| Research article summary (published 30 Oct 2002): |
Fetal learning: a prospective randomized controlled study.
Full Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
To examine whether prenatal exposure to a music stimulus alters fetal behavior and whether this continues into the newborn period.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS:
A prospective randomized control trial was conducted using an exposure learning model in 20 normal term pregnancies. Music was played to ten fetuses via a headphone on the maternal abdomen. Ten controls had the headphone without sound. All fetal studies took place within 72 h prior to elective delivery. All 20 newborns were exposed to the same music on days 3-5. Computerized assessment of fetal heart rate and activity was documented and neonatal behavioral states were recorded. Nonparametric statistical analysis was used.
RESULTS:
For the first hour of study, exposed fetuses had higher mean heart rates (FHR) and spent more time exhibiting high FHR variation compared to unexposed fetuses, but neither of these differences was statistically significant. However, by the fourth hour the exposed fetuses not only demonstrated these two features but also exhibited more state transitions (P = 0.01) and higher FHR variation (P = 0.04) compared to unexposed fetuses. These effects were carried over into the neonatal period with prenatally exposed newborns manifesting more state transitions (P = 0.01) and spending a higher proportion of time in awake states (P = 0.05) when exposed to the same music stimulus.
CONCLUSION:
Prenatal music exposure alters the fetal behavioral state and is carried forward to the newborn period. This suggests that a simple form of fetal programming or learning has occurred.
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Author information
Author/s: James, D K (DK); Spencer, C J (CJ); Stepsis, B W (BW);
Affiliation: School of Human Development, University of Nottingham Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK. david.james(-atsign-)nottingham.ac.uk
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial
Journal: Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol), published in England. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2002-Nov; vol 20 (issue 5) : pp 431-8
Dates: Created 2002/11/08; Completed 2003/02/24; Revised 2004/11/17;
PMID: 12423478, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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