A study of the influence of stimulus on newborn infant's response: Specifically in heart rate change

Early extra-uterine development of the newborn infant has the potential for clarifying important questions of nature and care taking environment. In this study, tactile and auditory stimulation is used on . a group of infants to determine the effects of their response. Infants were tested by EKG at 24-48 hrs after birth and all they are free from complication. Stimuli presented were touch and sound (40dB, 70dB and 40-70dB). The result of the study were as follows: 1) The heart rate was seen to depend on their sleep-wake state. (light sleep; 125/mm, eyes open & motor activity increase; 151/mm crying; 185/mm). 2) The heart rate affected by tactile & auditory stimulus. The heart rate response was acceleration above the prestimulus level. (tactile,. 23/mm increase, auditory; 16-21/min increase) and heart rate change was seen to depend on prestimulus rate. (r=. 73) 3) There was a decrease in heart rate when they were soothe. (touch ; 24. 8sec, 21/mm decrease, pacifier; 14.5sec, 26/mm decrease) and significant difference in time between touch and pacifier (t=1.76, p<0.05). This result support the evaluation of newborn infant's sensory abilitics, and has even begin to influence changes in nursing care. But systemic monitoring of newborn infants respense would further define.