Determination of a mathematical indicator from the acoustical analysis of primal crying of newborns to evaluate their well-being

First acoustical emissions of 40 newborns were studied. Healthy mothers were considered. Sound signals were recorded including an initial mark activated at the end of the delivery. The period of time between initial mark and the beginning of the first cry was measured, and the acoustical signal of crying of the first minute of external life, primal crying, was recorded. These records and clinical data were specifically classified. Processing of the acoustical signals from the newborns were carried out. Means of energy and power from the newborn acoustical signals were determined and classified according to Apgar evaluation. The best correlation was found between the mean power of the primal crying and the Apgar evaluation. These results indicate that the mean power obtained from mathematical analysis of primal crying has promise for use as another parameter to evaluate the well-being of newborns.