Habituation responses to external stimuli: is the habituation of preterm infants at a postconceptual age of 40 weeks equal to that of term infants?

Objective: Compare the habituation responses to external stimuli between preterm infants at the postconceptual age of 40 weeks and term infants in the first days of life, and evaluate the habituation responses of the preterm infants until the age of 40 postconceptual weeks.

Methods: Prospective cohort study of preterm infants aged <32 weeks. The habituation responses to light, rattle, bell and tactile stimuli of preterm infants were assessed at 32, 34, 36 and 38-40 postconceptual weeks.