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Neonatal pain analyzer: development and validation

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Abstract

We developed a pain analyzer (ABC analyzer) to perform automatic acoustic analysis of neonatal crying and to provide an objective estimate of neonatal pain. The ABC analyzer uses a validated pain scale (ABC scale) based on three acoustic parameters: pitch frequency, normalized RMS amplitude, and presence of a characteristic frequency- and amplitude-modulated crying feature, defined as “siren cry”. Here we assessed the reliability of the analyzer. We enrolled 57 healthy neonates. Each baby was recorded with a video camera during heel prick. Pain intensity was evaluated using a validated scale [Douleur Aigue du Nouveau-Né (DAN) scale] and the analyzer and the two scores were compared. We found a statistically significant concordance between the DAN score and ABC analyzer score (p < 0.0001). The ABC analyser is a novel approach to cry analysis that should now have its properties carefully evaluated in a series of studies, just as is necessary in the development of any other pain measurement tool.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Occupational Health, ISPESL, Monteporzio Catone (Rome), Italy

    R. Sisto

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy

    C. V. Bellieni, S. Perrone & G. Buonocore

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  1. R. Sisto
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  2. C. V. Bellieni
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  3. S. Perrone
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  4. G. Buonocore
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Correspondence to C. V. Bellieni.

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Sisto, R., Bellieni, C.V., Perrone, S. et al. Neonatal pain analyzer: development and validation. Med Bio Eng Comput 44, 841–845 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-006-0101-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-006-0101-x

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