Knowledge to improve long-term consequences of extremely preterm births and improve quality of life for our "smallest survivors”

Despite significant advances in perinatal care, children born extremely/very prematurely (EP/VP) still face a high risk of long-lasting motor, cognitive and mental impairments.

Aim of the RJ Sabbatical is to analyses how neurobiological processes is reflected in sensorimotor and cognitive functions and to identify abnormalities related with early risk factors and health.

Thus, gathered by using data from a recent follow-up study in which we investigated the effects of EP birth in children who reached the age of 12-y, and in comparison with children born at normal birth.

All children included in this study followed since the newborn period, and tested on two previous occasions with extensive test battery, thus, to get information of the children's mental and physical health conditions over time.

At the 12-year follow-up, advanced measurements of mobility (kinematics), and structural and functional brain imaging was included.

My expectation is that such integrated, advanced examination methods and analyses enable improved interpretations of the relationship between brain structure/function and behavioral abnormalities/abilities.

Such knowledge is of the utmost importance for improving diagnosis and creating a prerequisite for personalized treatments for this increasing group of children in focus.

Research outputs produced during the planned RJ Sabbatical expected to generate new and important knowledge for the benefit of our "smallest survivors", their families and society.