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

Journal of Perinatology volume 43, pages 728–734 (2023)Cite this article

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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.

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Fig. 1: Flowchart of preterm (PT) and full-term (FT) born infants at 6 and 12 months age.
Fig. 2: Tactile reactivity in preterm and full-term born infants at ages of 6 and 12 months.
Fig. 3: Channels activation´s frequency in response to tactile stimulus in preterm and full-term born infants.
Fig. 4: Cortical response to tactile stimulus in preterm and full-term born infants.

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As part of efforts to improving transparency, the above mentioned study´s data are available.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the infants and families who participated in our study and all the professionals of the multidisciplinary follow-up program of risk infants in the Federal University of Minas Gerais’ Clinical Hospital (ACRIAR). This study received funding from the Minas Gerais Research Foundation – FAPEMIG (grant number APQ-01182-13), the São Paulo Research Foundation – FAPESP (great number 2012/02500-8 and 2013/07559-3) and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) - Brazil (grant number 140675/2017-5).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais.Prof. Alfredo Balena Avenue, 190 - Santa Efigênia, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Postal code: 30130-100, Brazil

    Ana Carolina Cabral de Paula Machado, Suelen Rosa de Oliveira, Débora Marques de Miranda & Maria Cândida F. Bouzada

  2. School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Federal University of Minas Gerais. Presidente Antônio Carlos Avenue, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Postal code: 31270-901, Brazil

    Lívia de Castro Magalhães

  3. Institute of Physics, State University of Campinas. Rua Sérgio Buarque de Holanda, 777, Cidade Universitária, Campinas, São Paulo, Postal code: 13083-859, Brazil

    Sérgio Luiz Novi & Rickson C. Mesquita

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  1. Ana Carolina Cabral de Paula Machado
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Contributions

ACCdePM: participated directly in planning, collection, analysis and interpretation of data and paper elaboration. LdeCM: participated directly in planning and interpretation of data and paper elaboration. SRdeO: participated directly in planning, collection, analysis and interpretation of data and paper elaboration. SLN: participated directly in planning and analysis of data and paper elaboration. RCM: participated directly in planning and analysis of data and paper elaboration. DMdeM: participated directly in planning and interpretation of data and paper elaboration. MCFB: participated directly in planning and interpretation of data and paper elaboration.

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Correspondence to Ana Carolina Cabral de Paula Machado.

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Machado, A.C.C.d.P., Magalhães, L.d.C., de Oliveira, S.R. et al. Can tactile reactivity in preterm born infants be explained by an immature cortical response to tactile stimulation in the first year? A pilot study. J Perinatol 43, 728–734 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-022-01536-w

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