Preterm birth is associated with increased risk of perinatal brain injury. Although there has been little headway made in reducing preterm birth rates, survival of infants born prematurely has improved greatly. Because of this, the neurodevelopmental consequences related to prematurity have become significant issues, especially in those infants born at less than 32 weeks gestation. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy commonly leads to neonatal brain injury both before and after delivery. While perinatal birth asphyxia accounts for a proportion of neonatal brain injury in neonates younger than 37 weeks, preterm birth is the more significant risk factor. This chapter explores the neurodevelopmental consequences associated with preterm birth, the pathophysiology of perinatal brain injury, and the imaging modalities used to assess the newborn brain. Finally, various neuroprotective interventions in clinical use and in development will be described.
Ascending Vaginal Infection Using Bioluminescent Bacteria Evokes Intrauterine Inflammation, Preterm Birth, and Neonatal Brain Injury in Pregnant Mice
