Preemie Babies and The Differences in Their Brain Development

• Studies have shown that, for babies born prematurely, specific areas of the brain are differentially vulnerable. 

• It's common for children who are born prematurely to develop neurodevelopmental disabilities, but these are not definitively related 

• Since 1990, only 61% of infants born at 24-32 weeks were free of mild to severe disability at 5 years old 

• Other studies have shown that preterm children have decreased cerebral volumes at 7-15 years old 

Examples of Developmental Differences Seen in Premature Babies:

• smaller brain size

• reduced gray matter

• regional variations 

• cognitive delays

• motor impairments

• smaller birth weight