View in EDS

Evaluation of fetal exposure to environmental noise using a computer-generated model.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Evaluation of fetal exposure to environmental noise using a computer-generated model.
Authors: Gélat, Pierre, van't Wout, Elwin, Haqshenas, Reza, Melbourne, Andrew, David, Anna L., Mufti, Nada, Henriques, Julian, Thibaut de Maisières, Aude, Jauniaux, Eric
Source: Nature Communications; 4/25/2025, Vol. 16 Issue 1, p1-15, 15p
Subject Terms: ACOUSTIC field, PREGNANT women, MULTIPLE scattering (Physics), ANATOMICAL planes, AUDITORY learning
Abstract: Acoustic noise can have profound effects on wellbeing, impacting the health of pregnant women and their fetus. Mounting evidence suggests neural memory traces are formed by auditory learning in utero. A better understanding of the fetal auditory environment is therefore critical to avoid exposure to damaging noise levels. Using anatomical data from MRI scans of pregnant patients (N = 4 ) from 24 weeks of gestation, we develop a computational model to quantify fetal exposure to acoustic field. We obtain acoustic transfer characteristics across the human audio range and pressure maps in transverse planes passing through the uterus at 5 kHz, 10 kHz and 20 kHz, showcasing multiple scattering and modal patterns. Our calculations show that the sound transmitted in utero is attenuated by as little as 6 dB below 1 kHz, confirming results from animal studies that the maternal abdomen and pelvis do not shelter the fetus from external noise. There are limited in vitro and in vivo models to study human fetal exposure to environmental noise. Here, the authors develop a computational model to quantify fetal exposure to acoustic fields, obtaining acoustic transfer characteristics across the human audio range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Nature Communications is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Complementary Index
Description
Abstract:Acoustic noise can have profound effects on wellbeing, impacting the health of pregnant women and their fetus. Mounting evidence suggests neural memory traces are formed by auditory learning in utero. A better understanding of the fetal auditory environment is therefore critical to avoid exposure to damaging noise levels. Using anatomical data from MRI scans of pregnant patients (N = 4 ) from 24 weeks of gestation, we develop a computational model to quantify fetal exposure to acoustic field. We obtain acoustic transfer characteristics across the human audio range and pressure maps in transverse planes passing through the uterus at 5 kHz, 10 kHz and 20 kHz, showcasing multiple scattering and modal patterns. Our calculations show that the sound transmitted in utero is attenuated by as little as 6 dB below 1 kHz, confirming results from animal studies that the maternal abdomen and pelvis do not shelter the fetus from external noise. There are limited in vitro and in vivo models to study human fetal exposure to environmental noise. Here, the authors develop a computational model to quantify fetal exposure to acoustic fields, obtaining acoustic transfer characteristics across the human audio range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:20411723
DOI:10.1038/s41467-025-58983-0