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Updated: May 6, 2026
Preterm EEG: A Multimodal Neurophysiological Protocol
Published on: February 18, 2012
Advances in Preterm Brain Injury
Marta Ybarra1, Steven Paul Miller2
1Department of Paediatrics, Sickkids, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Neonatology, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain.
Insights
Preterm birth causes significant neurodevelopmental disabilities in infants, including motor, cognitive, and sensory challenges. Brain injuries like white matter injury and hemorrhage are common during critical fetal development.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Preterm birth is a leading global health issue.
- Neurodevelopmental disabilities affect a substantial proportion of surviving preterm infants.
- Brain injury is frequent in preterm neonates during critical developmental windows (24-40 weeks gestation).
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the persistent neurodevelopmental challenges in preterm infants.
- To underscore the commonality and timing of brain injury in preterm neonates.
- To identify the primary forms of brain injury and associated conditions in preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on preterm birth complications.
- Analysis of neonatal care advancements and their impact.
- Categorization of common brain injuries in preterm infants.
Main Results:
- Major motor disabilities occur in 5-10% of preterm survivors.
- Cognitive, behavioral, and sensory issues affect over half of preterm infants.
- Common injuries include white matter injury, germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage, and gray matter injury, alongside dysmaturation.
Conclusions:
- Despite improved neonatal care, preterm infants face ongoing neurodevelopmental risks.
- Brain injury and dysmaturation are prevalent issues in preterm neonates.
- Understanding these injuries is crucial for improving long-term outcomes.
Abstract:
Preterm birth remains a major global health problem. Despite advances in neonatal care, neurodevelopmental disabilities persist, including major motor disabilities in 5-10% and cognitive, behavioral and sensory challenges in more than half of surviving preterm infants. Brain injury in the preterm infant remains common and occurs during a period of crucial brain development occurring between 24 and 40 weeks of gestation. The major forms of brain injury in preterm infants include white matter injury, germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage and cerebral gray matter injury, as well as the prevalent features of dysmaturation seen even in the absence of overt brain injury.
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