About this Research Topic
Preterm and early-term births, characterized by delivery before 39 weeks of gestation, are on the rise worldwide, particularly in middle- and low-income countries. Complications from preterm and early-term birth are the leading cause of death before the age of five; survivors may face a lifetime risk of cognitive and behavioral impairments.
While most studies on the association of preterm birth and neurodevelopmental problems have focused on very preterm infants (28 to <32 weeks of gestation age), there is a significant gap in the knowledge of outcomes of moderate (32 to <34 weeks GA), late preterm (34 to <37 weeks GA), and early term (37 to <38 weeks GA) infants, who represent the greatest proportion of infants born before term. During the last trimester of gestation, the rate of microstructural maturation of neural circuits is not synchronous across cortical regions, with primary sensory and motor areas developing faster than association areas, such as the frontal lobe. Thus, the latter are more vulnerable to health problems associated with prematurity and the negative effects of adverse environments.
The goal of this Research Topic is to offer a venue for researchers to discuss and propose solutions to neurodevelopmental challenges associated with birth before 40 weeks GA, in particular, moderate, late preterm, and early term infants (MLPI), who make up the largest number of preterm births but do not receive the same attention as their very preterm counterparts. Recent studies have shown that moderately, late preterm and early-term infants constitute a population vulnerable to short-term complications and long-term unfavorable clinical outcomes. Much lesser understood, though, are the neurodevelopmental outcomes of this cohort. We welcome original contributions focusing on the environmental effect on the development of cognitive and perceptual functions of MLPI, including animal models. Also, we invite contributions that discuss the challenges that developing preterm infants face in low-income environments and offer cost-effective solutions to mitigate them, especially those targeting the reality of middle- and low-income countries.
We are interested in all types of manuscripts, including original research, reviews, mini-reviews, opinions, etc.
The following topics are welcome:
• environmental determinants on neurodevelopmental outcomes of moderate, late preterm, and early term infants;
• tested interventions aimed at mitigating neurodevelopmental risks of moderate, late preterm, and early term infants;
• case studies focusing on public policies aimed at supporting the healthy development of moderate, late preterm, and early-term infants;
• comparative animal studies focusing on either positive or negative constraints associated with the environment on the neurodevelopment of moderate, late preterm, and early term infants;
• early intervention programs for preterm infants and their parents;
• assessment methods or protocols for the early identification of cognitive impairment in preterm infants;
• electrophysiological measures in monitoring the cognitive development of preterm infants.
While most studies on the association of preterm birth and neurodevelopmental problems have focused on very preterm infants (28 to <32 weeks of gestation age), there is a significant gap in the knowledge of outcomes of moderate (32 to <34 weeks GA), late preterm (34 to <37 weeks GA), and early term (37 to <38 weeks GA) infants, who represent the greatest proportion of infants born before term. During the last trimester of gestation, the rate of microstructural maturation of neural circuits is not synchronous across cortical regions, with primary sensory and motor areas developing faster than association areas, such as the frontal lobe. Thus, the latter are more vulnerable to health problems associated with prematurity and the negative effects of adverse environments.
The goal of this Research Topic is to offer a venue for researchers to discuss and propose solutions to neurodevelopmental challenges associated with birth before 40 weeks GA, in particular, moderate, late preterm, and early term infants (MLPI), who make up the largest number of preterm births but do not receive the same attention as their very preterm counterparts. Recent studies have shown that moderately, late preterm and early-term infants constitute a population vulnerable to short-term complications and long-term unfavorable clinical outcomes. Much lesser understood, though, are the neurodevelopmental outcomes of this cohort. We welcome original contributions focusing on the environmental effect on the development of cognitive and perceptual functions of MLPI, including animal models. Also, we invite contributions that discuss the challenges that developing preterm infants face in low-income environments and offer cost-effective solutions to mitigate them, especially those targeting the reality of middle- and low-income countries.
We are interested in all types of manuscripts, including original research, reviews, mini-reviews, opinions, etc.
The following topics are welcome:
• environmental determinants on neurodevelopmental outcomes of moderate, late preterm, and early term infants;
• tested interventions aimed at mitigating neurodevelopmental risks of moderate, late preterm, and early term infants;
• case studies focusing on public policies aimed at supporting the healthy development of moderate, late preterm, and early-term infants;
• comparative animal studies focusing on either positive or negative constraints associated with the environment on the neurodevelopment of moderate, late preterm, and early term infants;
• early intervention programs for preterm infants and their parents;
• assessment methods or protocols for the early identification of cognitive impairment in preterm infants;
• electrophysiological measures in monitoring the cognitive development of preterm infants.
Keywords: developmental psychology, Prematurity, Preterm, Brain Development, Cognition, Neurodevelopment, Early intervention
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
