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Long-term impact of infection on the preterm neonate

Ira Adams-Chapman1

  • 1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. iadamsc@emory.edu

Seminars in Perinatology
|November 27, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Infections in preterm infants can disrupt development, increasing risks for death, lung disease, and neurodevelopmental issues. This review details the long-term impacts of perinatal infections and sepsis in premature infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Developmental Neuroscience

Background:

  • Premature infants face heightened infection risks during hospitalization.
  • Infection-induced inflammation can disrupt critical nervous and respiratory system development.
  • This disruption elevates risks for mortality, chronic lung disease, and poor neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the long-term consequences of infection and inflammation in preterm infants.
  • To consolidate current knowledge on the impact of various neonatal infections.
  • To highlight risks associated with perinatal infection, sepsis, and necrotizing enterocolitis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on preterm infant infections.
  • Synthesis of data on perinatal infection, early-onset sepsis, and late-onset sepsis.
  • Analysis of research concerning necrotizing enterocolitis and its sequelae.

Main Results:

  • Neonatal infections significantly increase the risk of long-term adverse outcomes.
  • Inflammation associated with infection negatively impacts neurodevelopment and respiratory health.
  • Specific conditions like sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis carry substantial long-term risks.

Conclusions:

  • Early and late-onset infections pose significant threats to preterm infant survival and long-term health.
  • Managing infection and inflammation is crucial for improving neurodevelopmental and respiratory outcomes in premature infants.
  • Further research is needed to mitigate the long-term effects of neonatal infections.

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