CRY ANALYSIS IN INFANTS OF NARCOTIC ADDICTED MOTHERS

Abstract

Infants born to narcotic addicted mothers exhibit a withdrawal syndrome characterized by signs of CNS irritability including a high pitched cry. Previous studies suggest that acoustical cry features reflect CNS function. To test the hypothesis that cry analysis may provide a measure of CNS irritability, we analyzed 90 cries from 24 infants of addicted mothers and 32 cries from matched controls. A clinical abstinence score was also determined Just prior to each cry. All cries were recorded for 30 seconds following a painful stimulus and were analyzed by computer to determine 4 types of cry variables: fundamental frequency (f0), 1st formant (F1), timing and mode. Although infants of narcotic abusers only exhibited a trend toward higher f0 values (which correlates with pitch) when values were compared during the typical cry mode (437 vs 387 Hz p=.08), withdrawing infants had significantly increased “falsetto” mode crying (16% vs 4% p=.015). Falsetto mode f0 is 4-5X that seen in the usual mode (i.e. higher pitch). Withdrawing infants also had more short cry utterances (<.05 sec) during the 30 sec. cry (21 vs 12 p=.02), however the duration of the 1st normal cry utterance was positively correlated with the clinical abstinence score (r=.30, p=.005). These data indicate that withdrawing infants have difficulty achieving stable vocalization. These findings are consistent with abnormal CNS control of the larynx and suggest that cry is an objective measure which may be useful in assessing CNS function.