Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

The intersection of neuroscience, socioeconomic status, and preterm birth

Alexandra F Bonthrone1,2,3, Steven P Miller4,5, James P Boardman6,7

  • 1Research Department of Early Life Imaging, Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.

Pediatric Research
|May 18, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Socioeconomic status significantly impacts neurodevelopment in very preterm infants, affecting brain structure and cognitive outcomes. Addressing social disadvantage is crucial for improving long-term health and development in these children.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal neuroscience
  • Developmental pediatrics
  • Social epidemiology

Background:

  • Preterm birth is a major cause of childhood neurodevelopmental impairment.
  • While medical factors are known risks, socioeconomic inequalities are increasingly recognized as significant contributors.
  • Understanding these social determinants is vital for improving outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence linking socioeconomic status (SES) to brain injury/dysmaturation and neurocognitive outcomes in very preterm children.
  • To explore mechanisms by which SES influences development in this vulnerable population.
  • To identify potential interventions and policy targets.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of etiological evidence.
  • Analysis of studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for brain assessment.
  • Examination of cognitive and behavioral outcome data from birth to five years.

Main Results:

  • Social gradients strongly influence neurodevelopmental trajectories after preterm birth.
  • Lower socioeconomic status is associated with altered brain structure and connectivity in preterm infants.
  • These associations persist despite accounting for medical risks.

Conclusions:

  • Socioeconomic disadvantage is a critical determinant of brain development and neurocognitive outcomes in preterm children.
  • Mitigating social disadvantage during the perinatal period and early childhood is essential.
  • Interventions should address both social and medical factors to improve long-term outcomes.

More Related Videos

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats07:36

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

Published on: November 20, 2015

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting14:43

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

Published on: January 12, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...
Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Environmental Influences on Intelligence01:29

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children from...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences01:28

Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences

Social behavior is a complex phenomenon that arises from the interaction between biological predispositions and environmental influences. This intricate interplay shapes how individuals think, feel, and act in various social contexts. Understanding these mechanisms requires insights from psychology, neuroscience, genetics, and evolutionary theory.Environmental Influences on Social BehaviorEnvironmental factors, including temperature, odors, and visual stimuli, play a crucial role in shaping...
The Nativist Approach01:21

The Nativist Approach

The nativist approach to infant cognitive development proposes that infants are born with inherent knowledge structures that allow them to interpret the world almost immediately. This perspective contrasts with earlier developmental theories, such as those proposed by Jean Piaget, which emphasized a more gradual acquisition of cognitive abilities through interaction with the environment. One key concept in this approach is object permanence — the understanding that objects continue to exist...