Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 4, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Neurodevelopmental outcome of late-preterm infants: Literature review
1Service de néonatologie, CHRU de Tours, 37044 Tours, France; UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, 37044 Tours, France.
Insights
Late-preterm infants born between 34 and 36 weeks gestation may experience moderate neurodevelopmental delays due to increased cerebral vulnerability. Defining screening strategies is crucial for identifying these infants for specialized follow-up care.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neurology
- Developmental pediatrics
- Perinatal medicine
Background:
- Late-preterm infants (34-36 weeks gestation) have smaller fetal brains, suggesting heightened vulnerability to injury.
- Existing epidemiological studies on neurological outcomes show significant heterogeneity, hindering clear conclusions.
- Contradictory findings suggest potential moderate neurodevelopmental delays in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the neurological outcomes of late-preterm infants.
- To highlight the challenges in assessing neurodevelopmental delays in this group.
- To emphasize the need for effective screening strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological studies on neurological outcomes in late-preterm infants.
- Analysis of factors contributing to variable neurological outcomes.
- Discussion of methodological heterogeneity in existing research.
Main Results:
- Neurological outcomes in late-preterm infants are variable and influenced by perinatal factors.
- Evidence suggests a probable moderate neurodevelopmental delay.
- Significant heterogeneity in study methodologies complicates definitive conclusions.
Conclusions:
- Late-preterm infants represent a vulnerable population requiring further investigation.
- Efficient screening strategies are needed to identify infants needing specialized follow-up.
- Addressing the heterogeneity in research is critical for understanding long-term neurological impacts.
Abstract:
Late-preterm infants are characterized by a birth term from 340/7 to 366/7 weeks of gestation. A foetal brain at 340/7 weeks of gestation weighs only 65% of the full-term newborn brain, which suggests a particular cerebral vulnerability to injury during this 6-week period. Epidemiological studies reporting the neurological outcomes of late-preterm infants exhibit large methodological heterogeneity that inhibits clarity on this issue. However, contradictory results and odds ratio values near neutral reveal probable moderate neurodevelopmental delay in late-preterm infants. This observation reflects the variable neurological outcomes of this population according to multiple perinatal factors. Therefore, the current challenge is to define efficient screening strategies to determine infants requiring specific follow-up.
