Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Preterm Birth

The improved survival of very preterm and very low birth weight infants in recent decades has been associated with an increase in the prevalence of physical and neurodevelopmental problems. Attention is increasingly being focused on the quality of life of survivors, who are at greater risk of brain damage and consequent neurological disorders, and neuropsychological and behavioural impairments. In this volume, leading experts present a comprehensive and up-to-date perspective on research in various aspects of the long-term consequences of very preterm birth. As well as extending existing knowledge of the neurodevelopmental sequelae following very preterm birth, a shared aim of this burgeoning body of research is to identify the mechanisms underlying variations in outcome, and thus recognise subgroups of children who are at increased risk of neurodevelopmental problems, for whom appropriate intervention strategies can be devised. Pediatricians, neurologists, psychiatrists and psychologists will all find this to be essential reading.   - Includes the most recent advances in research into the neurodevelopmental outcome following preterm birth - Includes a comprehensive summary of research from infancy into adulthood - Provides a single-source and integrated perspective on brain development, cognitive, neurological and behavioural findings associated with preterm birth Contents Part I. Introduction: 1. Epidemiology of preterm birth Sven Cnattigius and Stefan Johansson; 2. The changing face of intensive care for preterm newborns John Wyatt; 3. Clinical outcome: neurological sequelae following preterm birth Ingeborg Krageloh-Mann; Part II. Neuroimaging: 4. Imaging the preterm brain Terrie E. Inder, Russell Lawrence and Jeffrey J. Neil; 5. Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging Richard W. I. Cooke; 6. Magnetic Resonance Imaging findings from adolescence to adulthood Matthew Allin and Muriel Walshe; 7. Functional neuroimaging following very preterm birth Chiara Nosarti and Larry Rifkin; 8. Diffusion tensor imaging findings in preterm and low birth weight populations Matthew Allin; Part III. Behavioural Outcome: 9. Behavioural outcome of preterm birth in childhood and adolescence Elaine Healy; 10. Preterm birth and fetal growth in relation to adult psychopathology Christina M. Hultman and Chiara Nosarti; Part IV. Neuropsychological Outcome: 11. Cognitive and functional outcomes of children born preterm Betty Vohr; 12. Methodological considerations in neurodevelopmental outcome studies of infants born prematurely Glen P. Aylward; 13. Language function after preterm birth Teresa M. Rushe; 14. A cognitive neuroscience perspective on the development of memory in children born preterm Michelle De Haan; 15. Executive function development in preterm children Peter John Anderson, Kelly Howard and Lex W. Doyle; Part V. Applied Research: 16. Academic performance and learning disabilities H. Gerry Taylor; 17. Pathways of risk and resiliency after prematurity: role of socioeconomical status Michael M. Msall, Mary C. Sullivan and Jennifer Park; 18. Cognitive and behavioural interventions Marie C. McCormick and Beth Marie McManus; Part VI. Conclusions: 19. Integrative summary and future directions Chiara Nosarti, Robin M. Murray and Maureen Hack. Contributors Sven Cnattigius, Stefan Johansson, John Wyatt, Ingeborg Krageloh-Mann, Terrie E. Inder, Russell Lawrence, Jeffrey J. Neil, Richard W. I. Cooke, Matthew Allin, Muriel Walshe, Chiara Nosarti, Larry Rifkin, Elaine Healy, Christina M. Hultman, Betty Vohr, Glen P. Aylward, Teresa M. Rushe, Michelle De Haan, Peter John Anderson, Kelly Howard, Lex W. Doyle, H. Gerry Taylor, Michael M. Msall, Mary C. Sullivan, Jennifer Park, Marie C. McCormick, Beth Marie McManus, Robin M. Murray, Maureen Hack