Can tactile reactivity in preterm born infants be explained by an immature cortical response to tactile stimulation in the first year? A pilot study

Author(s)

Cabral de Paula Machado, Ana Carolina ; Magalhaes, Livia de Castro ; de Oliveira, Suelen Rosa ; Novi, Sergio Luiz ; Mesquita, Rickson C. ; de Miranda, Debora Marques ; Bouzada, Maria Candida F.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Perinatology; v. N/A, p. 7-pg., 2022-10-19.

Abstract

This study aimed to compare preterm (PT) and full-term (FT) infants' adaptive behavior and functional cortical response to tactile stimulus, as measured by Test of Sensory Functions in Infants and functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS). Outcome measures were taken at 6 (PT = 26/FT = 21 infants) and 12 months (PT = 15/FT = 14 infants). At 6 months, poorer tactile reactivity was observed in PT, but not confirmed at 12 months. At 6 months, cortical response to tactile stimulus was found in the primary sensorimotor cortex and differences between groups did not reach significance. At 12 months, cortical response was found in the primary sensorimotor cortex and premotor area and in the somatosensory associative area, with significant less frequent response in premotor area in PT. The findings reinforce fNIRS as a tool to complement the knowledge of tactile adaptive behaviors in PT in early life. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/07559-3 - BRAINN - The Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology
• Grantee: Fernando Cendes
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 12/02500-8 - Instrumentation and methodology development for cerebral oxygenation, blood flow and metabolic monitoring with diffuse optical spectroscopies
• Grantee: Rickson Coelho Mesquita
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants