25 years of helping preterm babies: 'There's a lot of opportunities to do things that matter'
A long-term study by the Liggins Institute at the University of Auckland is investigating brain development in babies born between 32 and 36 weeks gestation. Researchers found that over a third of these preterm infants show unexpected MRI abnormalities, highlighting the need for better long-term health monitoring.
Why it matters
Understanding the developmental risks for moderate-to-late preterm babies is crucial for improving medical best practices and long-term health outcomes for a significant portion of the population.
A study looking at the early brain development of babies born between 32 and 36 weeks gestation has found a third of participants showed abnormalities on their MRI.
Every year about 4500 babies are born prematurely in New Zealand and those rates have been rising.
Preterm babies - those born before the 37-week mark - can have life-long health challenges.
For 25 years the Liggins Institute at the University of Auckland has worked to improve the long-term health outcomes of these babies.
Liggins Research Doctor Olga Ivashkova takes a 2 year-old through a development assessment.
The Moderate-to-Late Preterm Babies Early Brain Development (MOPeD) study is just one of many running through the Liggins.
Rachel Koenen, 35, and her 2-year-old son Oren are participants in the study, which involves an early MRI scan and developmental progess check-ins.
She said it was a no-brainer for her to want to take part.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in