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 .
Early experience alters brain function and structure.
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of early experience on brain function and structure . METHODS A r and omized clinical trial tested the neurodevelopmental effectiveness of the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program ( NIDCAP ) .  Thirty preterm infants , 28 to 33 weeks ' gestational age ( GA ) at birth and free of known developmental risk factors , participated in the trial . NIDCAP was initiated within 72 hours of intensive care unit admission and continued to the age of 2 weeks , corrected for prematurity . Control ( 14 ) and experimental ( 16 ) infants were assessed at 2 weeks ' and 9 months ' corrected age on health status , growth , and neurobehavior , and at 2 weeks ' corrected age additionally on electroencephalogram spectral coherence , magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging , and measurements of transverse relaxation time . RESULTS The groups were medically and demographically comparable before as well as after the treatment . However , the experimental group showed significantly better neurobehavioral functioning , increased coherence between frontal and a broad spectrum of mainly occipital brain regions , and higher relative anisotropy in left internal capsule , with a trend for right internal capsule and frontal white matter . Transverse relaxation time showed no difference . Behavioral function was improved also at 9 months ' corrected age . The relationship among the 3 neurodevelopmental domains was significant . The results indicated consistently better function and more mature fiber structure for experimental infants compared with their controls . CONCLUSIONS This is the first in vivo evidence of enhanced brain function and structure due to the NIDCAP . The study demonstrates that quality of experience before term may influence brain development significantly
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 .