Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Preemie pain alters pain sensitivity later

Click HERE for the original article online

LONDON, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Painful medical interventions early in life may alter sensitivity to pain later in life, British researchers suggest

Researchers at University College of London linked being born prematurely to altered responses to hot and cold.

In the study, 43 11-year-old children born at less than 26 weeks of gestation were tested for their responses to different sensations -- temperature and light touch -- using quantitative sensory testing. Compared to a group of children who had been born at full term, the premature children were less sensitive to temperature but not to light touch. This was most marked in those who had also undergone a surgical operation as a baby.

No comments: