Neonatal pain and developmental outcomes in children born preterm: An updated systematic review.

Psychology & Neuroscience, Vol 17(1), Mar 2024, 1-15; doi:10.1037/pne0000332

Objective: This study aimed to perform an updated systematic review of empirical studies published between 2014 and 2022 that examined the associations between neonatal pain and the development of children born preterm. Method: The literature search was performed using PubMed, APA PsycInfo, Latin American, Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, Scientific Electronic Library Online, and Web of Science databases and included the following search strategy: (pain) AND (preterm) AND (development). The data were extracted according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Sixteen studies were analyzed. Results: The developmental outcomes in early development have identified a reduction in brain volume and function, neurobehavioral, cognitive, and language development problems, and altered biochemical and behavioral indicators of stress and behavior problems. The later outcomes in the development assessment were sensory processing problems in preschool-aged children, reduction in brain volume and maturation, cognitive and visual motor integration delay, increased behavioral reactivity to pain indicators, and behavioral problems in school-age children. Conclusion: This updated review confirms that neonatal pain exposure is significantly associated with potential impacts on the development outcomes during infancy, toddlerhood, preschool, and school age in preterm children. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)