Neurological Outcomes in Late Preterm Infants: An Updated Review of Recent Research and Clinical Insights

Research on late preterm infants is limited compared with extremely low birth weight infants, despite their vulnerability to brain injury. Early intervention is crucial, as these infants often face higher risks of cerebral palsy and developmental delays. This review examines methods to predict neuro...

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Main Authors: Andreea-Ioana Necula, Roxana Stoiciu, Razvan Radulescu Botica, Cristiana-Elena Durdu, Roxana Bohiltea
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Diagnostics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/12/1514
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author Andreea-Ioana Necula
Roxana Stoiciu
Razvan Radulescu Botica
Cristiana-Elena Durdu
Roxana Bohiltea
author_facet Andreea-Ioana Necula
Roxana Stoiciu
Razvan Radulescu Botica
Cristiana-Elena Durdu
Roxana Bohiltea
author_sort Andreea-Ioana Necula
collection DOAJ
description Research on late preterm infants is limited compared with extremely low birth weight infants, despite their vulnerability to brain injury. Early intervention is crucial, as these infants often face higher risks of cerebral palsy and developmental delays. This review examines methods to predict neurological outcomes and evaluates standard care protocols for neurologically affected late preterm infants. It also explores the potential for developing a comprehensive care bundle that integrates family involvement and delineates the responsibilities for continuous developmental monitoring. A total of 21 studies, primarily cohort studies, were included. This review synthesizes recent research on neurological development in late preterm infants, highlighting key markers and methods to improve neurological monitoring and long-term outcomes. Late preterm infants are at an increased risk for neurodevelopmental impairments, such as cerebral palsy and cognitive delays, particularly when growth restrictions or low birth weight are present. Early interventions, including specialized neurological assessments and targeted rehabilitation, show potential for improving these outcomes. Late preterm infants face increased neurodevelopmental risks despite low perinatal mortality. Early identification, standardized assessments, and targeted follow-up are essential. Emerging interventions show promise, but further research and equitable care access are needed to improve long-term outcomes.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2075-4418
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publishDate 2025-06-01
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series Diagnostics
spelling doaj-art-6ccbd9d708324c7db91e936a8c6df4c42025-08-20T03:27:14ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-06-011512151410.3390/diagnostics15121514Neurological Outcomes in Late Preterm Infants: An Updated Review of Recent Research and Clinical InsightsAndreea-Ioana Necula0Roxana Stoiciu1Razvan Radulescu Botica2Cristiana-Elena Durdu3Roxana Bohiltea4Department of Neonatology, MedLife, 013695 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment of Neonatology, MedLife, 013695 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MedLife, 013695 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Filantropia Clinical Hospital, 011132 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Filantropia Clinical Hospital, 011132 Bucharest, RomaniaResearch on late preterm infants is limited compared with extremely low birth weight infants, despite their vulnerability to brain injury. Early intervention is crucial, as these infants often face higher risks of cerebral palsy and developmental delays. This review examines methods to predict neurological outcomes and evaluates standard care protocols for neurologically affected late preterm infants. It also explores the potential for developing a comprehensive care bundle that integrates family involvement and delineates the responsibilities for continuous developmental monitoring. A total of 21 studies, primarily cohort studies, were included. This review synthesizes recent research on neurological development in late preterm infants, highlighting key markers and methods to improve neurological monitoring and long-term outcomes. Late preterm infants are at an increased risk for neurodevelopmental impairments, such as cerebral palsy and cognitive delays, particularly when growth restrictions or low birth weight are present. Early interventions, including specialized neurological assessments and targeted rehabilitation, show potential for improving these outcomes. Late preterm infants face increased neurodevelopmental risks despite low perinatal mortality. Early identification, standardized assessments, and targeted follow-up are essential. Emerging interventions show promise, but further research and equitable care access are needed to improve long-term outcomes.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/12/1514pretermneurological follow-upneurodevelopmentlow birth weightneurological assessmentpreterm outcomes
spellingShingle Andreea-Ioana Necula
Roxana Stoiciu
Razvan Radulescu Botica
Cristiana-Elena Durdu
Roxana Bohiltea
Neurological Outcomes in Late Preterm Infants: An Updated Review of Recent Research and Clinical Insights
Diagnostics
preterm
neurological follow-up
neurodevelopment
low birth weight
neurological assessment
preterm outcomes
title Neurological Outcomes in Late Preterm Infants: An Updated Review of Recent Research and Clinical Insights
title_full Neurological Outcomes in Late Preterm Infants: An Updated Review of Recent Research and Clinical Insights
title_fullStr Neurological Outcomes in Late Preterm Infants: An Updated Review of Recent Research and Clinical Insights
title_full_unstemmed Neurological Outcomes in Late Preterm Infants: An Updated Review of Recent Research and Clinical Insights
title_short Neurological Outcomes in Late Preterm Infants: An Updated Review of Recent Research and Clinical Insights
title_sort neurological outcomes in late preterm infants an updated review of recent research and clinical insights
topic preterm
neurological follow-up
neurodevelopment
low birth weight
neurological assessment
preterm outcomes
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/12/1514
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