The research conducted by University College London (UCL) revealed that premature infants requiring intensive care or surgery after birth are less sensitive to temperature change later on in life as compared to children born full term.

Researchers followed 11-year-old children born at less than 26 weeks of gestation (14 weeks premature). These children were tested for their responses to different sensations - temperature and light touch - using quantitative sensory testing.
Researchers found that as compared to full-term children, premature babies experience similar pain; there are, however, minor differences in the way these two groups cope with pain.

Researchers believe that believe the severity of injury and trauma in early life influences the degree of sensory damage.
Suellen Walker of the UCL Institute of Child Health said that our study shows that babies who are born premature and need intensive care or surgery develop long-term changes in their responses to hot and cold sensations.