A new study led by UCL researchers has found that infants develop the ability to sense pain before they can fully understand or emotionally respond to it. Published in the journal Pain, the research highlights how brain networks responsible for different aspects of pain processing mature at varying rates, with conscious pain interpretation developing only after birth.
The study, conducted by scientists from UCL, UCLH, and King’s College London, examined three components of pain processing in infants: sensory-discriminative (identifying pain intensity and location), affective-motivational (emotional response), and cognitive-evaluative (interpreting pain). Using MRI data from the Developing Human Connectome Project and the Human Connectome Project, the team analyzed brain scans of 372 preterm infants, tracking the maturation of these networks from less than 32 weeks up to 42 weeks after conception.
The results showed that the sensory-discriminative network matures first, around 34-36 weeks, enabling infants to sense pain but not yet localize or emotionally process it. By 36-38 weeks, the affective-motivational network develops, allowing babies to perceive pain as unpleasant. However, the cognitive-evaluative network, responsible for understanding pain, does not fully mature until after 42 weeks, meaning even full-term newborns lack the brain connectivity to fully comprehend pain.
Lead author Professor Lorenzo Fabrizi explained, “Pain is a complex experience, and in newborns, the brain networks responsible for processing it are underdeveloped. This means their pain experience differs significantly from that of adults.” He emphasized the vulnerability of preterm infants, stating, “Our findings underscore the need for tailored pain management and careful timing of medical procedures for newborns, especially those born prematurely.”
The study sheds light on the developmental stages of pain processing in infants, revealing that preterm babies may experience pain differently due to immature brain networks. These findings call for heightened awareness in neonatal care to minimize discomfort and support healthy brain development during critical early stages. Future research could explore interventions to mitigate pain in preterm infants.
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