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Premature Newborn Care: Brain Basics
Premature Newborn Care: Brain BasicsUnderstanding how the nervous system continues to develop after birth will help you care for your baby inways that are good for her brain. In the third trimester, when many babies enter the NICU, grooves called Sulciand ridges called Gyri are forming in the cortex of the brain.These grooves and ridges increase the surface areas of the brain which are devoted to memory, language,visual perception, reasoning, information processing and voluntary movement. At the same time while theexpansion of the brain's surface area is in full swing individual neurons begin to mature and organizethemselves.Dendrites and Axons start to link together and as they do, billions of connections form. And from them growwhole systems that control sight, language, thought and movement. As the pathways between neuronsdevelop, they are surrounded by a white fatty substance called Myelin.The insulation that myelin provides helps neurons to transmit signals and information to each other with greaterspeed.It is when Myelin is beginning to form that many of the most vulnerable babies arrive in the special carenursery which means that the brain must continue its development in a place where sometimes painfulprocedures help make survival possible.Science is clear: the effects of early birth on the brain are reduced by caring for babies in ways that fosterhealthy brain development.Your love and support during a NICU stay not only make a difference in your baby's well-being now, but for herfuture.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG10018B EN PrematureNewbornCareBrainBasics.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 1
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