Impact of the odors of vanilla extract and breast milk on the frequency of apnea in preterm neonates

Abstract

Aim We developed this study using an experimental design to determine the impact of the odors of vanilla extract and breast milk on apnea frequency in preterm neonates. Materials and methods We obtained the study data from 42 preterm neonates (16 vanilla, 13 breast milk, 13 control group) who had been admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Istanbul University meeting the case selection criteria. All groups were monitored on the first day without any intervention. On the second and third days, breast milk was placed in the incubators of the babies in the breast milk group and the sterile gauze that was vanilla-impregnated was placed in the incubators of the babies in the vanilla group. On the fourth day, the babies were watched without any interference. Results On the second, third and fourth days of the study, we determined that apnea frequency in the vanilla group neonates was significantly lower (P < .00) as compared to the breast milk and control groups. Conclusion Using vanilla extract in neonates suffering from apnea to reduce its frequency is an effective method.