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Oxygen flow is essential for brain development in newborns
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Even mild disruptions in the first days of life can have long-lasting consequences, new research suggests
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The findings are from mouse studies and may differ in humans
SATURDAY, March 28, 2026 (NewsDay News) — Many premature babies experience a brief lack of oxygen while in intensive care, and new research suggests it can affect the teen’s learning and memory and beyond.
“Just one bad day in the NICU may be all it takes to change the trajectory of brain development throughout life,” said the lead author. Dr. Steven Bargardprofessor of pediatrics at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland.
Many complications of preterm birth, including underdeveloped lungs and lung function, can interfere with the flow of oxygen to the tissues and cells of the newborn.
Other studies have looked at the effects of chronic inflammation-related disorders, brain injury, and seizures in older children or adults.
The OHSU team described their study in a March 23 publication Journal of Neurology – as the first, the effect mild intermittent hypoxia in the brain of the premium.
Hypoxia—defined simply as low levels of oxygen in the body’s tissues—can be life-threatening at any age. In premature babies, short, repeated episodes can be life-changing, research shows.
“Historically, it’s been the long, significant episodes of hypoxia that have been the focus for long-term negative consequences, but this study tells us that intermittent episodes can also be a cause for concern,” he said. Dr. Cindy McAvoya professor of pediatrics who cares for a critical prenatal patient.
For the study, the OHSU team used a mouse model to determine the effects of mild hypoxia after premature birth.
They identified a mechanism in the area of the brain responsible for memory and learning, called the hippocampus, that may help explain the severity of the effects of hypoxia during pregnancy.
When examining brain tissue in mice that had these intermittent hypoxic events, the team found that the brain’s system was inhibited from transmitting information throughout the nervous system.
In particular, communication between the hippocampus and the cortex, a layer of the brain that causes and solves problems, is blocked. Moreover, the nerve cells in the hippocampus not only did not develop as early as expected, they did not even regenerate in adulthood.
The researchers explained that this communication is how the brain transmits messages throughout the body.
When the relay is disrupted, everyday behaviors such as moving and breathing, as well as regulating emotions, learning, and remembering things can be affected.
While animal studies often produce different results when replicated in humans, the researchers called their findings concerning.
“These effects aren’t something we see in standard tests or NICU scans; they happen deep within the brain’s connections and can show up years later in a child’s development,” McEvoy said.
“If we know these children are at risk for learning and memory problems, we can intervene earlier and provide the support and resources they need to thrive,” she said.
If studies in humans produce similar findings, they may lead to more intensive interventions in the NICU. These may include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to improve the development of children’s respiratory tract and eliminate these short-term respiratory disorders.
The results may also help doctors identify which patients need additional early intervention during growth.
More information
Learn more about infant brain development at Zero to three.
Source: Oregon Health & Science University, news release, March 23, 2026
What does this mean for you?
By following the recommendations of doctors on food, sleep, exercise, etc., women can avoid premature birth.
