Abstract

FAAS, Ana Eugenia; RESINO, Carlos Fabián  and  MOYA, Pedro Roberto. Neonatal responsiveness to the odor of amniotic fluid. Arch. argent. pediatr. [online]. 2013, vol.111, n.2. ISSN 0325-0075.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5546/aap.2013.105.

This study evaluated the neonatal responsiveness to the odor of amniotic fluid during the first hours of life. Twenty five newborn infants born by C-section at 36-40 weeks of gestation were evaluated with 1; 5 or 25 drops of amniotic fluid at 1 hour, 3.5 hours and 6 hours of life. A five stimuli habituation plan was used and global motor activity was recorded. Mixed-design ANOVAs for repeated measures demonstrated time differences and showed the highest reactivity at 1 hour, a reduction at 3.5 hours and a recovery at 6 hours (p < 0.0000). Maximum response was observed at the beginning, with a subsequent reduction (p < 0.0088). T tests were used to compare mean differences from baseline to the stimulation period. It was observed that one drop was enough to trigger a response, even at 6 hours of life (p = 0.045). Apparently, babies are able to detect minimum amounts of amniotic fluid and habituate the response with repeated exposure during their first hours of life.

Keywords : Amniotic fluid; Fetal memory; Human newborn infant; Sense of smell.

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