CLINICAL-NEUROLOGICAL AND PARACLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PRETERM AND LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS

Abstract

Preterm birth, defined as delivery before 37 completed weeks of gestation, and low birth weight (LBW), defined as birth weight below 2500 g, represent major public health concerns associated with significant neonatal morbidity and long-term neurodevelopmental disability. According to WHO data, approximately 15 million preterm births occur annually worldwide, with preterm complications being the leading cause of death among children under five years of age. The immature central nervous system of preterm infants is highly susceptible to hypoxic-ischemic injury, hemorrhagic lesions, and white matter damage. These conditions frequently manifest as cerebral palsy, cognitive impairment, epilepsy, and sensory disorders in later life. Despite advances in neonatal intensive care, early and accurate characterization of neurological status in preterm and LBW infants remains a clinical priority for guiding neuroprotective strategies and predicting outcomes.