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A Smart Preterm Breather: Variation of Cry Duration by Laryngeal Constriction Phenomena
Lea Melber1, Johannes Wirbelauer2, Tabea Kottmann3
1Center for Prespeech Development and Developmental Disorders, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
Insights
Preterm infants exhibit laryngeal constriction phenomena during crying, a common respiratory mechanism. This finding suggests a method for improving lung function in premature infants during their first week of life.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Respiratory control
- Vocalization analysis
Background:
- Human neonates possess laryngeal control crucial for vital functions.
- Laryngeal constriction phenomena are observed in full-term infant crying.
- Preterm infants often have altered lung development and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of laryngeal constriction phenomena in preterm infants.
- To analyze these phenomena within the first week of life.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 562 cry vocalizations from 11 healthy preterm infants.
- Visual (spectrograms, oscillograms) and auditory analysis using PRAAT software.
- Assessment of constriction phenomena occurrence and vocalization duration.
Main Results:
- Laryngeal constriction phenomena were present in all studied preterm infants.
- A strong negative correlation was found between constriction phenomena and gestational age (r = -0.81).
- Vocalizations with constrictions were significantly longer than those without.
Conclusions:
- Laryngeal constrictions are a regular feature in preterm infant cry vocalizations.
- These constrictions likely serve as a respiratory mechanism.
- The mechanism may enhance end-expiratory lung volume and improve gas exchange.
Introduction And Objective:
Human neonates are born with some control over their larynx, which is essential for breathing, swallowing and phonation. Laryngeal constriction phenomena were observed during not provoked crying of full-term infants. As preterm infants show alterations in lung development and functionality, the aim of the present study was to examine whether these infants generate laryngeal constriction phenomena during the first week of life.
Methods:
Cry vocalizations (n = 562) of 11 healthy, preterm infants (6 females) were analyzed visually (frequency spectrograms and oscillograms) and auditorily. The analyses of the occurrence of laryngeal constriction phenomena and the duration of vocalization were conducted using the open-source software PRAAT.
Results:
Constriction phenomena were found in the crying of all preterm infants. No significant sex differences were observed. There was a significant correlation between the occurrence of laryngeal constriction phenomena and gestational age (r = -0.81). Vocalizations containing constriction phenomena were significantly longer than those without constrictions.
Conclusion:
The study showed laryngeal constrictions as a regular phenomenon in cry vocalizations of preterm infants during their first week of life. They seemed to be mainly used as a respiratory mechanism to increase end-expiratory lung volume and to improve alveolar gas exchange.
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