What are the causes of intellectual disability in premature infants?
Jul 19, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Introduction
In general, intellectual disability in premature infants may be caused by factors such as underdeveloped brain, delayed nerve myelination, intraventricular hemorrhage, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, or meningitis. If any abnormalities are noticed, prompt medical attention is recommended. In daily life, closely monitor the premature infant's responsiveness, motor development, and conduct regular assessments of intellectual development.
Generally, intellectual disability in preterm infants may be caused by factors such as underdeveloped brain, delayed nerve myelination, intraventricular hemorrhage, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and meningitis. If any abnormalities are noticed, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Underdeveloped Brain
Preterm infants have insufficient gestational age, and their cerebral cortex and nerve cells have not fully developed, with fewer neuronal connections, which may affect intellectual development. Under professional neonatal care after birth, maintaining suitable temperature and humidity and ensuring nutritional supply, such as providing adequate nutrition through breast milk or preterm infant formula milk, are important.
2. Delayed Nerve Myelination
The formation of nerve myelin sheaths in preterm infants is slower than that in full-term infants. Incomplete myelination may affect nerve signal transmission and potentially lead to delayed intellectual development. Early intervention under a doctor's guidance, such as promoting nerve development through visual and auditory stimulation, and regular assessment of nerve development, is recommended.
3. Intraventricular Hemorrhage
Preterm infants have fragile cerebral blood vessels, making them prone to intraventricular hemorrhage. The blood pressure on brain tissue can impair nerve function and may lead to intellectual disability, often accompanied by symptoms such as drowsiness and abnormal muscle tone. Treatment under a doctor's guidance with medications such as vitamin K1 injection, ganglioside sodium injection, and cytidine diphosphate-choline sodium injection may be necessary.
4. Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Preterm infants have weak respiratory function and are prone to hypoxia, leading to cerebral ischemia and hypoxia, damaging nerve cells, affecting intellectual development, and possibly accompanied by rapid breathing and poor responsiveness. Immediate improvement of the hypoxic condition is necessary, along with medication under a doctor's guidance, such as sodium phenobarbital injection, defatted calf blood extract injection, and oxiracetam injection.
5. Meningitis
Preterm infants have low immunity and are susceptible to bacterial infections that can cause central nervous system infections, leading to meningitis. Once brain tissue is damaged, intellectual disability may result, often accompanied by fever and seizures. Anti-infective treatment under a doctor's guidance with medications such as penicillin sodium injection, ceftriaxone sodium injection, and vancomycin injection is required.
In daily life, closely observe the preterm infant's responses, movements, and other conditions, and conduct regular assessments of intellectual development. Parents can carry out early education training under a doctor's guidance to promote intellectual development. If any abnormal symptoms appear, seek immediate medical attention.
