[en] Newborn infant, birth, immobility reaction, first breath, first cry, prenatal stress, neonatal collapse
Abstract :
[en] Objective: To describe an Immobility Reaction (IR) that was not previously reported at or immediately after birth in human newborns.
Method: We analyzed 31 videos of normal term vaginal deliveries recorded from Time 0 of birth defined as the as the moment that lies between the birth of the thorax and the pelvis of the infant. We searched for perinatal factors associated with newborn's IR.
Results: IR at birth was observed in 8 of the 31 newborns. The main features of their behavior were immobilization, frozen face, shallow breathing and bradycardia. One of the 8 newborns had sudden collapse two hours after birth. We found significant relationships between maternal prenatal stress (PS) and IR (p = .037), and a close to significant one between infants' lividness at Time 0 and IR (p = .053). The first breath of the 31 newborns occurred before and was not associated with the first cry (p < .001).
Discussion: The main features of IR at birth are similar to those of the universal most severe response to severe stress or danger. The relationship with PS suggests that children who had IR at birth might be at risk for similar disorders as those associated with PS. Sudden neonatal collapse of one of the IR newborns needs further research to determine if they are at risk for sudden infant death syndrome.
Conclusion: This first report of an IR reaction at birth in human infants could open up new paths for improving early neonatal care. Further research is needed for maternal PS, stress hormones, umbilical cord blood pH measurements in IR newborns. The challenge of education and support for parents of IR newborns is outlined.
Disciplines :
Architecture Education & instruction
Author, co-author :
Rousseau, Pierre ; Université de Mons > Faculté de Psychologie et des Sciences de l'Education > Sciences de la Famille
Francotte, Jacques
Fabbricatore, Maria
Frischen, Caroline
Duchateau, Delphine
Perin, Marie
Gauthier, Jean-Marie
Lahaye, Willy ; Université de Mons > Faculté de Psychologie et des Sciences de l'Education > Sciences de la Famille
Language :
English
Title :
Immobility Reaction at birth in human newborn.
Publication date :
09 June 2014
Journal title :
Infant Behavior and Development
ISSN :
0163-6383
Publisher :
Elsevier, Netherlands
Volume :
37
Issue :
2014
Pages :
380-386
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Research unit :
P330 - Sciences de la Famille
Commentary :
Highlights . We describe for the first time Immobility Reaction (IR) in newborn infants at birth . Newborns' first breath occurred before and was not associated with their first cry . IR at birth was similar to the freeze response of the defense system . Significant relationship was found between maternal prenatal stress and IR . Sudden neonatal collapse was observed in one of the IR newborns
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