title: Brain maturation of preterm newborn babies: new insights.
abstract: Preterm birth still results in a high number of neurodevelopmental sequelae, although major forms of brain lesions--such as periventricular leukomalacia and intraventricular hemorrhage--are significantly reduced in this population of babies compared with a few years ago. This paper focuses on the possible reasons for this phenomenon. Some brain lesions, such as those affecting the periventricular white matter and the cerebellum, may be underestimated if magnetic resonance imaging is not used. In addition, a functional neurological consequence is not necessarily due to a recognized brain lesion, but may simply derive from an abnormally or suboptimally developed brain structure. The quality of nutrition given to a preterm baby could play a crucial role in such cases. In fact, nutrition is known to affect brain function; a case in point is the improvement in visual function resulting from dietary essential fatty acids. Finally, research in this area should aim at both reducing potential hazards and improving the quality of perinatal care, including the quality of nutrition.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Units of Mangiagalli, Policlinico Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, University of Milan, Italy. lucrameng@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Luca A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Ramenghi
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fumagalli
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bassi
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Groppo
authors.forename: Agnese
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Carli
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fanaro
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mosca
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000473:pathology*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development*; D009752:Nutritional Status