Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
May 1, 2025
Hugo Lagercrantz
8 citations
Consciousness emerges gradually before and after birth, not as an all-or-nothing event. Newborns become aroused at birth due to intense sensory stimulation and stress from transitioning to air; first breaths activate the locus coeruleus, indicated by large pupils. Infants appear aware of their bodies and can recognize their mother's facial expressions, voice, and smell. A default mode network matures soon after birth, likely keeping the brain in a conscious state. Newborns are probably conscious, albeit at a low level. Fetuses show signs of consciousness after about 24 weeks of gestation, though they mainly sleep and are less aware of their environment. Before that, sensory nerves are not yet connected to the cerebral cortex.
Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
February 1, 2025
Joel Frohlich, Tim Bayne
3 citations
Consciousness in infants is likely present by 5 months of age or earlier, based on a cluster of behavioral and neural markers validated in adults that can be translated to infancy. Historically, infants were operated on without anesthesia, but attitudes shifted in the 1990s toward taking consciousness seriously. Since infants cannot report experiences, no single marker suffices, so a consensus across multiple markers pointing to the same developmental period provides a convincing argument. This cluster-based approach reviews the most promising markers for early consciousness.
Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
May 1, 2024
1 citation
Mind-body therapies such as meditation, mindfulness, biofeedback, hypnosis, yoga, tai chi, qi gong, imagery, creative outlets, and art therapy are increasingly used in paediatric palliative care (PPC) due to its complex nature. A review of studies from PubMed and CINHAL found that these therapies are consistently described as harmless and show some benefits for anxiety, stress, and quality of life in parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers. However, robust evidence does not fully support their efficacy, especially for patients. The authors suggest that mind-body therapies warrant further investigation through larger controlled studies tailored to different populations of PPC children, parents, caregivers, and professionals.