![]() ![]() Very preterm infants are born with a neurobiological immature system and are precociously exposed to stressful procedures during weeks to months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Throughout this period of growth and development, the human brain is highly susceptible to stress exposure. The third trimester of pregnancy represents a sensitive phase for infant brain plasticity, as a series of fast-developing cellular events, such as synaptogenesis, neuronal migration, and myelination regulate the development of neural circuits ( 1). Finally, we discuss opportunities for early intervention and future studies. Here we will review the impact of stress following premature birth on the programming of neurobiological systems and discuss possible stress-related neural circuits and pathways involved in resilience and vulnerability. As preterm birth interferes with early development of stress-regulatory systems, early interventions might strengthen resilience factors and might help reduce the detrimental effects of chronic stress exposure. These neurobiological systems are promising markers for the etiology of several affective and social psychopathologies. ![]() Postnatal stress may contribute to altered programming of the brain, including key systems such as the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and the autonomic nervous system. Preterm infants are born with an immature brain and are, while admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, precociously exposed to stressful procedures. ![]() Throughout this dynamic period of growth and development, the human brain is susceptible to stress. The third trimester of pregnancy represents a sensitive phase for infant brain plasticity when a series of fast-developing cellular events (synaptogenesis, neuronal migration, and myelination) regulates the development of neural circuits.
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