Study of the Emergence of Sensory Self-awareness in Premature Newborns Using the Rooting Reflex

Launched by UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, GRENOBLE · Apr 11, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how premature newborns respond to touch and how this may show their developing awareness of themselves and their surroundings. Researchers will look specifically at the rooting reflex, which is when a baby turns their head and opens their mouth in response to touch on their cheek. They want to see if premature babies react differently when touched by someone else compared to when they touch themselves. This could help us understand how sensory awareness develops in these very young infants.

To participate in this study, babies must be born prematurely between 28 and 37 weeks of gestation and be at least 3 days old. However, babies with certain medical conditions, such as needing breathing support, having serious brain injuries, or other significant health issues, will not be eligible. If a baby qualifies, their responses will be observed during quiet wakefulness, helping researchers learn more about their sensory skills and awareness. This trial is not yet recruiting participants, but it aims to contribute valuable knowledge about the development of premature infants.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Children born prematurely between 28 and 37 weeks of amenorrhoea, aged at least 3 days.
• Exclusion Criteria: Premature newborns with :
• • respiratory assistance (invasive or non-invasive ventilation)
• • malformative syndrome
• • a genetic syndrome
• • neurological damage such as stage III or IV intraventricular haemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia,
• • sedative treatment: morphine, clonidine
• • aminergic treatment
• • acute pathology: shock, sepsis, acute cardiac failure, acute respiratory failure, etc.