title: [To what degree does the NICU environment influence neurodevelopment of preterm infants?].
abstract: What effect do the various stressing stimuli in a neonatal intensive care unit have on the very sensitive process of synaptogenesis and apoptosis, dendritic growth and neuronal differentiation? To what degree can even minimal changes in the neuronal network of the developing cortex lead to behavioural disorders? And is there any possibility to improve the long term outcome of preterm infants by offering special support within the framework of individualized developmental care? This article combines the results of several studies and discovers interactions to illustrate the complexity and vulnerability of the developing human brain and to discuss the potential benefit of individualized developmental care interventions.
authors.affiliation: Klinik Neonatologie, Zentrum für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 430, Heidelberg.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Huppertz-Kessler
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Verveur
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pöschl
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D007360:Intelligence / Q000502:physiology; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007902:Length of Stay; D007969:Leukomalacia, Periventricular / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011247:Pregnancy; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012931:Social Environment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D003907:Dexamethasone