Apparatus and methods for improving health outcomes of preterm infants

Abstract

Adverse effects of pain in a premature infant, especially a very or extremely premature infant may be ameliorated by exposing the infant to stimuli comprising one or more of vertical oscillating motion simulating breathing, skin contact with an interface that mimics human skin and exposure to sounds and/or vibrations that simulate heartbeats. A device including a movable platform provides such stimuli within a neonatal intensive care incubator. The device provides simulated maternal breathing through vertical movement at a rate and speed similar to that experienced by an infant lying upon its mother's chest. It further provides simulated maternal skin interface feel as well as heartbeat sound. These simulated sensory parameters appear to have an innate calming effect upon a preterm infant that reduces the duration and severity of the infant's response to a pain event. The same stimulations may reduce occurrence of below-baseline fluctuations of brain blood oxygen content.