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P50 Sensory Gating in Infants
Published on: December 26, 2013
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Sensory modulation in preterm children: Theoretical perspective and systematic review
Tinka Bröring1, Kim J Oostrom1, Harrie N Lafeber2
1Department of Medical Psychology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Plos One
|February 10, 2017
Summary
Preterm infants often experience sensory modulation problems, impacting their neurodevelopment. These issues are linked to white matter brain injury and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stays, affecting cognitive and behavioral outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Occupational Therapy
Background:
- Preterm birth is associated with neurodevelopmental challenges, often attributed to white matter damage and NICU environmental factors.
- Cerebral white matter damage is linked to sensory processing deficits, including registration, integration, and modulation.
- Sensory modulation problems in preterm children remain under-researched.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize existing evidence on sensory modulation problems in preterm infants and children.
- To investigate the association between sensory modulation issues and neurocognitive/behavioral outcomes in this population.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
- Literature search conducted across PubMed, EMBASE.com, and PsycINFO.
- Inclusion criteria focused on studies assessing sensory modulation in preterm children or those with prematurity as a risk factor.
Main Results:
- Eighteen studies were included in the review.
- Evidence supports the existence of sensory modulation problems in preterm children.
- The characteristics and severity of these problems varied significantly across studies, despite prematurity being a common factor.
Conclusions:
- Sensory modulation problems are crucial for understanding neurocognitive and behavioral sequelae in preterm children.
- A potential dose-response relationship exists between white matter brain injury, NICU length of stay, and sensory modulation problems.
