A study of neonates' differential responses to three voices, as measured by transcutaneous oxymonitor

123 newborn infants were tested for changes in arterial oxygen status as an index of response to three voices, one of these being the maternal voice. Male infants responded more than female infants to their mother's voice, but female infants showed a higher response to the other female voice and the male voice. Black infants of each sex responded more than white infants to the maternal voice and to the other female voice. White female infants responded more than black female infants to the male voice.