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Updated: May 31, 2026
P50 Sensory Gating in Infants
Published on: December 26, 2013
Prediction of participation and sensory modulation of late preterm infants at 12 months: a prospective study
O Bart1, S Shayevits, L V Gabis
1Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, PO Box 39040, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel. o_bart@bezeqint.net
Insights
Late preterm infants (LPI) show poorer sensory modulation and participation compared to term babies. LPI characteristics like gestational age and head circumference predict these differences, increasing risks at one year.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Development
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Sensory Processing
Background:
- Late preterm infants (born 34-35 6/7 weeks) represent a significant proportion of births.
- These infants may face unique developmental challenges compared to full-term peers.
- Understanding sensory modulation and participation is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare sensory modulation and participation between late preterm infants (LPI) and term infants.
- To identify LPI characteristics that predict differences in sensory modulation and participation.
- To assess parental satisfaction in relation to LPI outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study involving 124 LPI and 33 term infants.
- Sensory modulation assessed using the Test of Sensory Functions in Infants and the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile.
- Participation and parental satisfaction evaluated via questionnaires.
Main Results:
- Term infants demonstrated superior sensory modulation compared to LPI.
- Gestational age and head circumference explained approximately 10% of sensory modulation variance.
- LPI exhibited decreased participation and lower parental satisfaction, with multiple gestations and head circumference being significant predictors.
Conclusions:
- Children born late preterm are at higher risk for sensory modulation disorders by one year of age.
- Late preterm birth is associated with reduced participation and parental satisfaction.
- Early identification of risk factors in LPI is essential for targeted support.
Abstract:
The aim of the study was to prospectively assess the differences in participation and sensory modulation between late preterm infants (LPI) and term babies, and to predict it by LPI characteristics. The study population includes 124 late preterm infants at gestational age between 34 and 35 6/7 weeks who were born at the same medical center. The control group comprised of 33 term babies (18 boys, 15 girls), born during the same period and location (mean age 12.47, SD = 0.73). Sensory modulation was assessed by the test of sensory functions in infants and the infant/toddler sensory profile and for assessment of participation and parents' satisfaction we used questionnaires. Term infants had better sensory modulation than LPI. Approximately 10% of the sensory modulation of participants in the study was explained by gestational age and head circumference. LPI participation and parental satisfaction decreased in the LPI group. Among all the explanatory variables only multiple gestations and head circumference contributed to the explained variance of participation (16%), and parents' satisfaction (13%). At age of 1 year, children born as late preterm are at increased risk of developing sensory modulation disorder, showing less participation, and resulting in less parental satisfaction.
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