Abstract
BackgroundNeurodevelopmental 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.AimThis 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.MethodRelevant studies were extracted from PubMed, EMBASE.com and PsycINFO following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Selection criteria included assessment of sensory modulation in preterm born children (<37 weeks of gestation) or with prematurity as a risk factor.ResultsEighteen studies were included. Results of this review support the presence of sensory modulation problems in preterm children. Although prematurity may distort various aspects of sensory modulation, the nature and severity of sensory modulation problems differ widely between studies.ConclusionsSensory modulation problems may play a key role in understanding 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.
Highlights
Advances in perinatal and neonatal intensive care have led to markedly increased survival rates in premature infants
Results of this review support the presence of sensory modulation problems in preterm children
Some support is found for a dose-response
Summary
Advances in perinatal and neonatal intensive care have led to markedly increased survival rates in premature infants. This reduced mortality is accompanied by an increased morbidity and high prevalence of neurodevelopmental problems, including neurocognitive and motor sequelae [1,2,3,4,5]. Preterm born children have a two to threefold risk to develop ADHD and ASD [10,11]. 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). Research into sensory processing problems and, in particular, sensory modulation problems, is scarce in preterm children
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