TASTE-MEDIATED CALMING IN PREMATURE, PRETERM, AND FULL-TERM HUMAN INFANTS

Calming by sucrose and glucose was evaluated in premature, preterm, an d term infants. In Experiment 1, 9 preterm and 9 term infants each rec eived 0.5 ml (0.1 ml/min) sucrose (12% w/v)solution; 9 age-matched pre term and 9 other term infants received water. In Experiment 2, 9 prema ture and 9 term infants received a 10% glucose solution. Sucrose reduc ed crying in preterm and term infants by 91% and 93%, respectively. Gl ucose reduced crying in premature and term infants by 86% and 81%, res pectively. Water was ineffective in both preterm and term infants. Thu s, reduced crying cannot be attributed to fluid ingestion per se. Calm induced by either sugar persisted longest in term infants after concl usion of sugar delivery. Accordingly, sensory systems that detect swee t taste and central mechanisms that transduce this change to calm cryi ng infants are Functional before normal term and may be engaged during the initial suckling bouts.