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
Clinical Scorecard: Enduring Changes in Pain Sensitivity After Preterm Birth: A Comprehensive Review and Meta-Analysis
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Pain sensitivity alterations post-preterm birth Key Mechanisms Altered nociceptive processing due to early-life pain exposure Target Population Individuals born preterm and term, aged 7–28 years Care Setting Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Key Highlights
Preterm-born individuals report higher pain intensity and heat pain thresholds than term-born. Significant heterogeneity observed in pain sensitivity outcomes. Long-term alterations in pain processing may persist from childhood into young adulthood. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Assess pain sensitivity through quantitative sensory testing (QST) measures. Management
Implement standardized protocols for neonatal pain management. Monitoring & Follow-up
Longitudinal studies needed to track pain sensitivity changes over time. Risks
Increased risk of altered pain perception and sensitivity in preterm-born individuals. Patient & Prescribing Data
Individuals aged 7–28 years born preterm and term.
Higher pain intensity and heat pain thresholds noted in preterm-born individuals.
Clinical Best Practices
Conduct well-designed longitudinal studies to understand pain sensitivity in preterm infants. Utilize evidence from observational studies to inform clinical practices in neonatal care. Related Resources & Content
