A physioacoustic model of the infant cry and its use for medical diagnosis and prognosis

Abstract

A total of 98 infant pain cries were recorded during the three-day blood test (P.K.U. heel stick) in order to test some of the important aspects of a cry production model. The infants ranged in age from 2–4 days; 20 were judged to be medically abnormal, 23 were questionable, and 55 were normal. The model was developed by utilizing the adult acoustic theory of speech production modified by physiological and anatomical hypotheses for neonates. The most important hypothesis concerns the control strategies of muscles involved in cry production. It is postulated that neonates control their muscles, especially the smaller muscles of the larynx, in a quantal fashion. Based on this model, a number of acoustic parameters were selected, and were extracted from the recorded cries using digital techniques. The parameters included formants and F0 vs time, timing and intensity information, determination of laryngeal mode, and nasalization. Relevant statistical analysis was performed to determine class ranges for each parameter of the model and to compare data from different medical classes. It is hoped that this model and the corresponding computer analysis will help to facilitate the use of the infant cry for medical purposes. [Work supported by NIH.]