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 .
Abnormal sensory reactivity in preterm infants during the first year correlates with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years of age
Background Sensory experience is the basis for learning in infancy . In older children , abnormal sensory reactivity is associated with behavioural and developmental disorders . We hypothesised that in preterm infants , abnormal sensory reactivity during infancy would be associated with perinatal characteristics and correlate with 2-year neurodevelopmental outcomes . Methods We conducted a prospect i ve observational study of infants with birth weight ≤1500 g using the Test of Sensory Function in Infants ( TSFI ) in the first year . Infants with gestational age ≤30 weeks were tested with the  Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development III ( BSID III ) at 24 months . Results Of the 72 participants evaluated at 4–12 months corrected age ( median 8 months ) , 59 ( 82 % ) had a least one TSFI score concerning for abnormal sensory reactivity . Lower gestational age was associated with abnormal reactivity to deep pressure and vestibular stimulation ( p<0.001 ) . Poor ocular-motor control predicted worse cognitive and motor scores in early childhood ( OR 16.7 ; p=0.004 ) , but was tightly correlated to the presence of severe white matter injury . Poor adaptive motor function in response to tactile stimuli predicted worse BSID III motor ( p=0.01 ) and language scores ( p=0.04 ) at 2 years , even after adjusting for confounders . Conclusions Abnormal sensory reactivity is common in preterm infants ; is associated with immaturity at birth , severe white matter injury and lower primary caregiver education ; and predicts neurodevelopmental delays . Early identification of abnormal sensory reactivity of very preterm infants may promote parental support and education and may facilitate improved neurodevelopment
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 .