Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Neonatal infection and long-term neurodevelopmental outcome in the preterm infant

Ira Adams-Chapman1, Barbara J Stoll

  • 1Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. ira_adams-chapman@oz.ped.emory.edu

Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases
|April 29, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Infections and inflammation in preterm infants are linked to poor neurodevelopmental outcomes and brain injury. Understanding these connections is key to improving cognitive and motor functions in vulnerable newborns.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal research
  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental pediatrics

Background:

  • Preterm infants face risks from intrauterine and postnatal infections.
  • The developing brain, especially white matter, is susceptible to injury from infection and inflammation.
  • Infection/inflammation is associated with conditions like chorioamnionitis, sepsis, and necrotizing enterocolitis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current data on the association between infection and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants.
  • To elucidate the relationship between infection, inflammation, and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.
  • To highlight the vulnerability of the preterm brain to injury.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current data.
  • Analysis of studies evaluating infection and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
  • Synthesis of findings on brain injury and developmental impact.

Main Results:

  • Infection/inflammation is linked to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes and impaired growth in preterm infants.
  • Associations found between infection and brain injuries like intraventricular hemorrhage and periventricular leukomalacia.
  • Very-low-birth-weight infants are at high risk for neonatal infection and related mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Infection and inflammation contribute to brain injury and poor developmental outcomes in preterm infants.
  • Understanding the interplay of infection, inflammation, and brain injury is crucial.
  • Developing strategies to mitigate infection/inflammation is vital for improving neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats07:36

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

Published on: November 20, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Neurulation01:30

Neurulation

Neurulation is the embryological process which forms the precursors of the central nervous system and occurs after gastrulation has established the three primary cell layers of the embryo: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. In humans, the majority of this system is formed via primary neurulation, in which the central portion of the ectoderm—originally appearing as a flat sheet of cells—folds upwards and inwards, sealing off to form a hollow neural tube. As development proceeds, the anterior...
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...