Researchers at the University College London have discovered that
infants have a unique nervous system that makes them respond
differently to pain than adults. By studying sensory nerve cells in
infants, the scientists discovered that infants' reflex to pain or
harm is greater and more prolonged than that of adults. The sensory
nerve cells are also linked to larger areas of skin, which means they
feel pain over a greater area of their body.
In a commentary on the findings, a professor of neurobiology said
that because the spinal sensory nerve cells work differently in
babies, even a simple skin wound at birth could lead to the area
becoming hypersensitive to touch long after the wound had healed.
-London Sunday Telegraph, August 2, 1998
Reprinted from Midwifery Today E-News (Vol 2 Issue 22 June 2, 2000)
To subscribe to the E-News write: enews@midwiferytoday.com
For all other matters contact Midwifery Today:
PO Box 2672-940, Eugene OR 97402
541-344-7438, midwifery@aol.com, Midwifery Today
|
|