Results of this review support the presence of sensory modulation problems in preterm children .
Sensory modulation problems may play a key role in underst and ing neurocognitive and behavioral sequelae in preterm children .
Some support is found for a dose-response relationship between both white matter brain injury and length of NICU stay and sensory modulation problems
BACKGROUND Neurodevelopmental sequelae in preterm born children are generally considered to result from cerebral white matter damage and noxious effects of environmental factors in the neonatal intensive care unit ( NICU ) .
Cerebral white matter damage is associated with sensory processing problems in terms of registration , integration and modulation .
However , research into sensory processing problems and , in particular , sensory modulation problems , is scarce in preterm children .
AIM This review aims to integrate available evidence on sensory modulation problems in preterm infants and children ( < 37 weeks of gestation ) and their association with neurocognitive and behavioral problems .
Parents' report of sensory responsiveness and temperament in preterm infants.
OBJECTIVES Although most infants born prematurely do not have major developmental problems , those with perinatal medical problems and lengthy stays in the neonatal intensive care unit are at risk for sensory modulation problems and developmental sequelae . This study compared sensory responsiveness in preterm and full-term infants and examined the relationship of sensory responsiveness to temperament and developmental function . METHOD Caregivers of infants with ( n = 45 ) and without ( n = 22 ) prematurity were asked to complete the  Sensory Rating Scale .  The preterm infants were also evaluated with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development , Second Edition ( BSID-II ) . RESULTS The preterm infants exhibited more frequent behaviors indicating tactile defensiveness and difficult temperament than did the full-term infants . When specific items were examined , the preterm infants displayed sensory-seeking behaviors and high activity levels . As measured by caregivers ' report , sensory responsiveness was significantly related to temperament . It was not related to BSID-II Mental and Psychomotor scale scores . CONCLUSION This study supports the findings of others that preterm infants have mild problems in sensory responsiveness and temperament . Correlational results do not support a definitive relationship between parents ' reports of their infants ' sensory responsiveness and developmental function
Results of this review support the presence of sensory modulation problems in preterm children .
Sensory modulation problems may play a key role in underst and ing neurocognitive and behavioral sequelae in preterm children .
Some support is found for a dose-response relationship between both white matter brain injury and length of NICU stay and sensory modulation problems
BACKGROUND Neurodevelopmental sequelae in preterm born children are generally considered to result from cerebral white matter damage and noxious effects of environmental factors in the neonatal intensive care unit ( NICU ) .
Cerebral white matter damage is associated with sensory processing problems in terms of registration , integration and modulation .
However , research into sensory processing problems and , in particular , sensory modulation problems , is scarce in preterm children .
AIM This review aims to integrate available evidence on sensory modulation problems in preterm infants and children ( < 37 weeks of gestation ) and their association with neurocognitive and behavioral problems .