Response of the foetal pupil to vibro-acoustic stimulation: A foetal attention test

• Published in: Early human development Vol. 87; no. 3; pp. 199 - 204
• Main Author: Cajal, Carlos López Ramón Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.03.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acoustic Stimulation; Advanced Basic Science; Attention - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology; Female; Fetus - physiology; Foetal attention test; Foetal neurology; Foetal pupil; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine; Pregnancy; Pupil - physiology; Pupillo-acoustic test; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; Vibro-acoustic stimulation; Pupillo-acoustic test; Foetal pupil; Foetal neurology; Vibro-acoustic stimulation; Foetal attention test; Human; Pupil; Neurology; Stimulation
• ISSN: 0378-3782; 1872-6232
• DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2010.12.007

Abstract Background The iris regulates the intensity of light that stimulates the retina. The pupils dilate also in response to mental activities as sign of attention. We hypothesized that the response of the foetal pupil to vibro-acoustic stimulation (VAS) reflects foetal attention. Aims To determine whether the changes in the foetal pupil produced by vibroacoustic stimulation is a sign of foetal attention. Study design We studied sonographically the pupils and iris of 151 foetuses between 27 and 41 weeks of gestation, using maximum ultrasonic zoom. Subjects 160 human foetuses between the 27th and the 41st week of gestation. Outcome measures The diameters of the pupil and iris were compared before and after VAS. Results At baseline, the pupils were miotic. We observed a response to VAS, manifest as a prominent pupillary dilatation in all foetuses. At all gestational ages, the percent increase in pupillary diameter was ≥ 57% (mean 87%; range: 57–135%). Conclusions VAS dilated the foetal pupil. Sonographic assessment of the foetal pupil provided important insights in the development of foetal neurological functions.