Premature delivery is one of the common issues that pregnant women face worldwide. The World Health Organization states that preterm birth affects about 15 million babies annually, which represents around 1 in 10 children born worldwide.

Prematurity can lead to short-term and long-term complications and health issues, including impaired cognitive and intellectual development. Therefore, this article explores how premature delivery and brain function are linked.

What is Premature Delivery?

Premature delivery, also referred to as preterm birth, occurs when a baby is born before the 37th week of gestation.

There are several factors that can cause prematurity, such as medical complications before or during pregnancy, maternal stress, multiple pregnancies, and infections. Premature babies are born with underdeveloped organs, particularly their lungs and brain, which can lead to adverse outcomes.

Short-term Complications of Premature Delivery

Premature babies often experience short-term complications, such as respiratory distress syndrome, apnea, and feeding difficulties, which require medical attention as soon as possible.

Respiratory distress syndrome occurs when the baby’s lungs are not fully developed, making it difficult for them to breathe on their own. Apnea is when the baby stops breathing for a short period, which can cause their skin to turn blue or gray.

Feeding difficulties arise because premature babies often have a weak sucking reflex, which can make it difficult for them to breastfeed or bottle-feed.

Long-term Complications of Premature Delivery

Premature babies are at risk of developing long-term complications, such as developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral issues.

The brain is one of the most affected organs by prematurity, as it is still developing during the last trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, premature babies are more vulnerable to brain injuries and developmental disorders, such as cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorder.

How Premature Delivery Affects Brain Function

Premature delivery affects brain function in several ways, including:.

Anatomical Changes

Premature babies often have smaller brain volumes and fewer brain cells than babies born at full term. The cerebellum, which is responsible for balance and coordination, is particularly affected in premature babies.

Moreover, premature babies’ brains have more water content, which can cause them to be more susceptible to brain injuries and slower brain development.

Functional Connectivity

Functional connectivity refers to the communication between different brain regions.

In premature babies, functional connectivity is often disrupted, which can impair their ability to process information, control their emotions, and engage in social interactions. The disruption of functional connectivity can also lead to an increased risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders.

Neurotransmitter Levels

Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that transmit signals between neurons. Premature babies often have imbalanced levels of neurotransmitters, which can affect their mood, behavior, and cognition.

For example, premature babies may have low levels of dopamine, which can lead to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other behavioral problems. Similarly, premature babies may have high levels of glutamate, which can lead to seizures and brain damage.

White Matter Injury

Premature babies are at risk of developing white matter injury, which refers to damage to the white matter in the brain. The white matter is responsible for transmitting signals between different brain regions.

When the white matter is damaged, the signals are disrupted, which can lead to impaired brain function. White matter injury can lead to cerebral palsy, which affects motor function, and cognitive impairments.

Interventions to Improve Brain Function in Premature Babies

Several interventions can improve brain function in premature babies, such as:.

Kangaroo Care

Kangaroo care involves placing the premature baby on the mother’s chest, skin-to-skin, to promote bonding and physical contact.

Kangaroo care has been shown to improve brain function, reduce stress, and improve breastfeeding rates in premature babies. Kangaroo care can also reduce the risk of infections and apnea in premature babies.

Early Intervention Programs

Early intervention programs aim to promote the development of premature babies’ brains through physical, sensory, and social stimulation. Early intervention programs involve occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy.

These programs have been shown to improve cognitive and motor development in premature babies.

Nutritional Support

Nutritional support is crucial for premature babies to promote growth and development. Premature babies often require fortified breast milk or formula to meet their nutritional needs.

Nutritional support can also help prevent the development of brain injuries and developmental delays.

Conclusion

Premature delivery affects brain function in several ways, including anatomical changes, disrupted functional connectivity, imbalanced neurotransmitter levels, and white matter injury.

These brain changes can lead to short-term and long-term complications, such as developmental delays, cerebral palsy, and behavioral issues. However, several interventions can improve brain function in premature babies, such as kangaroo care, early intervention programs, and nutritional support.

It is essential to provide support and medical attention to premature babies to promote their physical and cognitive development.