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Updated: May 8, 2026

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
07:36

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

Published on: November 20, 2015

Different gestational ages and changing vulnerability of the premature brain

Andrea Sannia1, Anna R Natalizia1, Alessandro Parodi1

  • 1a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit , Istituto Giannina Gaslini , Genova , Italy .

The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine : the Official Journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians
|August 24, 2013
PubMed

Insights

While more preterm infants survive, long-term disabilities persist. Understanding gestational age-related brain vulnerabilities is key to preventing neonatal brain lesions and improving outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal neurology
  • Perinatal medicine
  • Developmental neuroscience

Background:

  • Increased survival rates for preterm and low birth weight infants have not reduced long-term physical and mental disabilities.
  • Identifying risk factors is crucial for developing preventive measures against long-term sequelae of prematurity.
  • Gestational age is a primary determinant of specific vulnerability to neonatal brain lesions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss common neonatal cerebral lesions in premature infants.
  • To explore the relationship between gestational age and brain vulnerability.
  • To highlight the importance of understanding age-dependent vulnerabilities for prevention.

Main Methods:

  • Review of common neonatal cerebral lesions.
  • Discussion of gestational age-dependent tissue vulnerability.
  • Analysis of factors influencing regional brain vulnerability (metabolic requirements, cell maturation).

Main Results:

  • Common neonatal brain lesions include cerebellar haemorrhage, germinal matrix intraventricular haemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, arterial ischaemic stroke, cerebral vein sinus thrombosis, and hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy.
  • Vulnerability to these lesions is significantly influenced by the infant's gestational age.
  • Local metabolic needs and cellular maturation levels at specific gestational ages contribute to regional tissue vulnerability.

Conclusions:

  • Gestational age-dependent vulnerability is a critical factor in neonatal brain injury.
  • Understanding these vulnerabilities is essential for targeted preventive strategies.
  • Reducing long-term disabilities in premature infants requires addressing specific lesion risks tied to gestational age.

Keywords:
Cerebellar haemorrhageGMH-IVHHIEPVLgestational agepretermstroke

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