A method for the assessment of facial hedonic reactions in newborns

Journal Title: Jornal de Pediatria - Year 2017, Vol 93, Issue 3

Abstract

Objective This study describes a quantitative and qualitative methodology to assess hedonic responses to sweet stimulus in healthy newborns. Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study, with healthy newborns (up to 24h of life), between 37 and 42 gestational weeks, vaginally born and breastfed previously to all tests. The evaluation of the newborns reactions was performed by hedonic facial expression analysis, characterized by facial expressions with rhythmic serial tongue protrusion after neutral or sweet solution intake. Initially, 1mL of water solution was provided to the newborn, followed by a 1-minute recording. Afterwards, the same amount of 25% sucrose solution was provided, performing a second recording. The concordance between researchers was analyzed by the Bland–Altman statistical method. Results A total of 100 newborns (n=49 males, n=51 females; mean lifetime=15h 12min±6h 29min) were recorded for neutral and sucrose solution intake, totaling 197 videos (n=3 missing in the water treatment). These videos were double-blind analyzed and the test revealed a 90% concordance between the two trained researchers, in relation to both solutions. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.99 for both solutions, with a significant increase in frequency of hedonic expressions evoked by sucrose solution intake. Conclusions These results confirm that the proposed method has an efficient power to detect significant differences between neutral and sucrose stimuli. In conclusion, this evaluation method of hedonic facial reactions in newborns reflects the response to a specific taste.

Authors and Affiliations

Caroline Ayres

Keywords

Related Articles

The mediator role of psychological morbidity on sleep and health behaviors in adolescents

Objective This study examined the mediation role of psychological morbidity, defined in this study as depression/anxiety, in the relationship between excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep quality, and between sleep habi...

Is a lack of sleep harming adolescents’ academic prospects in the digital age?

Adolescence is a crucial developmental period for defining one's academic expectations. In many countries, teenagers must prepare for and take national exams. Those outcomes may have a long-lasting impact on the future c...

Identification and initial management of intoxication by alcohol and other drugs in the pediatric emergency room

Objective To review the screening, diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of intoxication by alcohol and other drugs in children and adolescents in the emergency scenario. Data source This was a narrative literature revie...

Ultra-processed food consumption among infants in primary health care in a city of the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil

Objective To analyze the prevalence of ultra-processed food intake among children under one year of age and to identify associated factors. Methods A cross-sectional design was employed. We interviewed 198 mothers of ch...

Risk factors for neonatal death in the capital city with the lowest infant mortality rate in Brazil

Objectives To analyze the risk factors for neonatal death in Florianópolis, the Brazilian city capital with the lowest infant mortality rate. Method Data were extracted from a historical cohort with 15,879 live births....

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP505360
  • DOI 10.1016/j.jped.2016.06.011
  • Views 57
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Caroline Ayres (2017). A method for the assessment of facial hedonic reactions in newborns. Jornal de Pediatria, 93(3), 253-259. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-505360