Long-term alterations in pain sensitivity following preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis - Report - MDSpire

Long-term alterations in pain sensitivity following preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • By

  • Jorge Sánchez-Infante

  • Juan Manuel Pérez-Pozuelo

  • Almudena Crespo-Cañizares

  • Sonsoles Hernández-Iglesias

  • Jara Esteban-Sopeña

  • Ana Sánchez-Tovar

  • Sagrario Gómez-Cantarino

  • Miriam Hermida-Mota

  • Nuria García-Magro

  • July 8, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Enduring Changes in Pain Sensitivity After Preterm Birth

Overview

This meta-analysis examines long-term pain sensitivity in individuals born preterm, revealing higher pain intensity and heat pain thresholds compared to term-born peers.

Background

Preterm infants often experience numerous painful procedures during neonatal care, which may disrupt normal pain processing and lead to long-term consequences.

Data Highlights

OutcomePreterm (n=328)Term (n=403)Standardized Mean Differencep-value
Pain IntensityHigherLower0.450.03
Heat Pain ThresholdHigher (1.11 °C)Lower1.110.002

Key Findings

  • Preterm-born individuals reported higher pain intensity compared to term-born peers.
  • Higher heat pain thresholds were observed in preterm-born participants.
  • No significant differences were found for other quantitative sensory testing outcomes.
  • Substantial heterogeneity was noted across studies included in the meta-analysis.
  • Longitudinal studies with standardized protocols are recommended for future research.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare providers should be aware of the potential for altered pain sensitivity in individuals born preterm when managing pain.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that preterm birth is associated with enduring changes in pain sensitivity, particularly in pain intensity and heat pain thresholds.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2026 -- Long-term alterations in pain sensitivity following preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  2. Frontiers in Pediatrics — Physiological correlates of pain in preterm infants: evidence from a meta-analytic approach
  3. Frontiers in Pediatrics — Early-life painful and stressful exposures and neurodevelopment in preterm infants
  4. Frontiers in Pediatrics — Nurses’ perspectives on pain management in pediatric care: systematic review and meta-synthesis
  5. Frontiers in Pediatrics — Differences in cortisol levels between preterm and term infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis combined with Mendelian randomization study
  6. Frontiers | Long-term alterations in pain sensitivity following preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  7. Physiological correlates of pain in preterm infants: evidence from a meta-analytic approach - PMC
  8. Pain Sensitivity and Thermal Detection Thresholds in Young Adults Born Preterm With Very Low Birth Weight or Small for Gestational Age at Term Compared With Controls - ScienceDirect
  9. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/-/media/files/allchildrens/clinical-pathways/nicu-neonatal-pain-management-clinical-pathway-3_5_26.pdf
  10. Open access
  11. Pain management in preterm infants with necrotizing enterocolitis: an international expert consensus statement
  12. Pain Management Guideline - East of England
  13. Managing pain in newborns: A multidimensional approach | Canadian Paediatric Society
  14. Weak evidence behind how we measure pain in babies | Cochrane

Original Source(s)

Long-term alterations in pain sensitivity following preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • by Jorge Sánchez-Infante, Juan Manuel Pérez-Pozuelo, Almudena Crespo-Cañizares, Sonsoles Hernández-Iglesias, Jara Esteban-Sopeña, Ana Sánchez-Tovar, Sagrario Gómez-Cantarino, Miriam Hermida-Mota, Nuria García-Magro

  • July 8, 2026

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