Lack of oxygen, blood that does not reach the brain in newborns slows growth later

A recent study has shown that cognitive and learning disabilities in premature babies are thought not only because of lack of blood flowing to the brain, but also because of low oxygen levels.

The lead researcher, Stephen Back, said that the study underwent more than a decade of scientific research on clinical knowledge of brain development in preterm infants.

"This finding provides an opportunity to determine how to restore oxygen loss and may reduce the long-term effects in surviving preterm infants," he noted.

Using the lamb model, Back and his team analyzed the reaction of neurons in the lower fetus - cells that play an important role in regulating brain function and the association of brain - and disorders of oxidative brain region.

When the brain develops in contact with oxygen levels below normal levels within 25 minutes, the nerve cells below show long-term disorders after only one month of occurrence.

Back to note that this result better explains the long-term complications of these preterm children as they grow up to include significant challenges with learning, memory and attention that will also affect deeply. important.

In summary, additional research is necessary to determine the exact time frame for developing hypoxic injuries in preterm neonates, as well as the optimal oxygen concentration needed for the Early intervention for these children. Back believes that these findings suggest that it is necessary to re-evaluate the criteria for better care for newborns, especially premature babies.

This study has just been published in the Journal of Neuroscience.