Study Finds Why Preemies Have Higher Cognitive Skills

Brains of preterm babies undergo development before reaching adolescence, finds a study.

New research by University of Adelaide's Robinson Research Institute found mental capabilities in preemies can be as good as those children who are born full-term. For the study, experts followed 145 children who were either premature or term-born for 12 years to note differences in cognitive skills developed since birth.

It was observed that home environment and brain injuries sustained during childhood influenced brain health and intellectual capacities of children born before nine months. These children gradually achieve complete brain development before teenage. The study also noted preemies have better working memory, information processing and general intellectual skills compared to their full-term peers.

"Every year, 10% of Australian babies are born preterm, and many studies have shown that these children often have cognitive difficulties in childhood," said Julia Pitcher, study author and researcher at the University of Adelaide in a news release.

"This new study has some positive news. We looked at the factors that determine cognitive abilities in early adolescence, and found that whether or not you were born preterm appears to play a relatively minor role. Of significantly more importance is the degree of social disadvantage you experienced in your early life after birth, although genetics is important," added Pitcher.

Preterm babies have reduced brain connectivity and minor anomalies that stunts cognition in earlier years. However, these brain abnormalities can be restored by exposing children to healthy environment that helps boost their mental capacities.

"What we don't yet know is how different factors in the home environment drive specific aspects of brain development. But early nutrition and enrichment through physical and intellectual stimulation are likely to have key roles," said Pitcher.

More information is available online in the journal Pediatrics.