Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 8, 2026

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
14:43

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting

Published on: January 12, 2018

13.5K

The impact of extrauterine life on visual maturation in extremely preterm born infants

Eva Schwindt1, Vito Giordano2, Zsofia Rona2

  • 1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Vienna, Pediatric Intensive Care and Neuropediatrics, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria. eva.schwindt@meduniwien.ac.at.

Pediatric Research
|July 4, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Extrauterine life accelerates visual system maturation in preterm infants. Longer postnatal age, after reaching a maturational threshold, leads to shorter visual evoked potential (VEP) peak-times.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Ophthalmology

Background:

  • Brain maturation is significantly influenced by extrauterine life.
  • Limited research exists on visual evoked potential (VEP) development in extremely preterm infants, particularly concerning extrauterine influences.
  • Understanding VEP maturation is crucial for assessing visual system development in this vulnerable population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine normal VEP maturation in infants born before 29 weeks gestational age (GA).
  • To investigate the impact of extrauterine life on VEP development in extremely preterm infants.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective recording of VEPs in extremely preterm infants.
  • Identification of principal VEP peaks (N0, N1, P1, N2, P2, N3).
  • Assessment of peak-time and peak appearance percentages across different gestational age groups and postnatal ages up to 8 weeks.

Main Results:

  • VEP peak-times decreased with increasing gestational age at birth.
  • Infants with longer postnatal age (extrauterine life) showed shorter VEP peak-times, indicating accelerated maturation.
  • This acceleration effect was less pronounced in infants born before 25 weeks GA.

Conclusions:

  • Extrauterine life appears to accelerate visual system maturation in preterm infants once a certain developmental threshold is achieved.
  • Postnatal age is a significant factor in VEP maturation beyond gestational age.
  • Findings highlight the importance of considering extrauterine environment in assessing visual development in extremely preterm infants.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates06:27

Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates

Published on: December 31, 2015

8.5K
Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs08:58

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs

Published on: October 31, 2025

657

Related Concept Videos

The Born-Haber Cycle02:44

The Born-Haber Cycle

Lattice Energy 
25.5K
The Angiosperm Life Cycle02:39

The Angiosperm Life Cycle

Plants have a life cycle split between two multicellular stages: a haploid stage—with cells containing one set of chromosomes—and a diploid stage—with cells containing two sets of chromosomes. The haploid stage is the gamete-producing gametophyte, and the diploid stage is the spore-producing sporophyte.
72.7K
Half-life of a Reaction02:42

Half-life of a Reaction

The half-life of a reaction (t1/2) is the time required for one-half of a given amount of reactant to be consumed. In each succeeding half-life, half of the remaining concentration of the reactant is consumed. For example, during the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, during the first half-life (from 0.00 hours to 6.00 hours), the concentration of H2O2 decreases from 1.000 M to 0.500 M. During the second half-life (from 6.00 hours to 12.00 hours), the concentration decreases from 0.500 M to...
39.2K
Characteristics of Life01:23

Characteristics of Life

Biology is a natural science that studies life and living organisms, including their structure, function, development, interactions, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. The field's scope is extensive and divided into several specialized disciplines, such as anatomy, physiology, ethology, genetics, and many more. All living things share a few key traits, including cellular organization, heritable genetic material and the ability to adapt/evolve, metabolism to regulate energy needs, the...
262.0K
Impact of Groups on Groups01:19

Impact of Groups on Groups

Social psychologists analyze how groups influence one another, shaping social structures and interactions through both cooperation and competition. These dynamics manifest in various ways, ranging from economic partnerships to intergroup conflicts that shape societal structures and perceptions.Cooperation and Competition in Intergroup RelationsIntergroup relationships vary across contexts, sometimes fostering cooperation and mutual benefit while at other times leading to conflict and...
254
The Tree of Life - Bacteria, Archaea, Eukaryotes02:40

The Tree of Life - Bacteria, Archaea, Eukaryotes

The “tree of life” describes the evolution of life and the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The root of the tree is the common ancestor to all life on Earth. All other species radiate from this point, much like the branches of a tree. The numerous tips of these branches on the tree of life represent every living, or extant, species. Extinct species, which are species that no longer exist, can be found towards the center of the tree. Currently, these organisms, both...
38.8K