Current opinion in infectious diseases
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Curr. Opin. Infect. Dis. · Jun 2006
ReviewNeonatal infection and long-term neurodevelopmental outcome in the preterm infant.
The relationship between infection, the inflammatory response and adverse neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants is slowly being elucidated. The developing brain, particularly the periventricular white matter, is vulnerable to cytotoxic and hypoxic/ischemic injury, which places these infants at increased risk for abnormal cognitive and motor functioning. This review summarizes current data evaluating associations between infection and neurodevelopmental outcome in the preterm infant. ⋯ Enhanced understanding of the interaction of infection, inflammation and brain injury will be critical to developing strategies to improve neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants.