CORRELATION BETWEEN EXTREME PREMATURITY AND CHILDREN'S NEUROCOGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT CHILDREN

Abstract

Extreme prematurity, defined as birth before 28 weeks of gestational age, constitutes one of the greatest challenges in neonatology and obstetrics. Extremely premature newborns are at high risk of neurological morbidities and persistent deficits in motor, cognitive, linguistic, and behavioral development. This study, in the format of an extended narrative review, aimed to analyze the scientific evidence published in the last 20 years on the association between extreme prematurity and child neurocognitive development. Publications from PubMed, SciELO, and LILACS databases were reviewed, prioritizing longitudinal studies, systematic reviews, and relevant clinical trials. The findings demonstrate that factors such as low birth weight, hypoxic-ischemic complications, respiratory disorders, and environmental and socioeconomic factors negatively influence neurocognitive development. It is concluded that early interventions and multidisciplinary monitoring are essential to minimize long-term impacts.