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Published on: November 20, 2015
Inflammation, brain damage and visual dysfunction in preterm infants
1Perinatal Infectious Disease Epidemiology Unit, Department of Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, OE 6415, 30623 Hannover, Germany. dammann.olaf@mh-hannover.de
Insights
Antenatal infection and inflammation may cause preterm birth complications, including visual dysfunction. Further research is needed to understand how infection/inflammation damages the preterm infant
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Ophthalmology
- Developmental Neuroscience
Background:
- Intrauterine infection and fetal inflammatory response are linked to preterm birth.
- Neonatal disorders affecting the lung and brain are associated with these factors.
- The role of infection/inflammation in visual dysfunction in preterm infants is under-explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and support the concept that antenatal infection and inflammation contribute to visual dysfunction in preterm infants.
- To highlight the need for further investigation into the mechanisms of visual pathway damage.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of existing data on antenatal infection, fetal inflammation, and neonatal outcomes.
- Conceptual expansion to include visual system development and function.
Main Results:
- Preliminary data suggest a link between antenatal infection/inflammation and visual dysfunction in preterm infants.
- The proposed concept aligns with current understanding of inflammatory pathways affecting developing organs.
Conclusions:
- Antenatal infection and fetal inflammation are potential contributors to visual dysfunction in preterm infants.
- Elucidating the precise mechanisms requires dedicated experimental and epidemiological research.
Abstract:
Antenatal intrauterine infection and the fetal inflammatory response appear to be important pathogenetic factors in preterm birth and subsequent neonatal disorders of the lung and brain. In this paper, we expand this concept to include visual dysfunction. Although present data tend to support our notion, we suggest that more experimental and epidemiological research is needed to elucidate mechanisms of infection/inflammation-induced damage to the eye and visual brain pathways of preterm infants.
