LONG-TERM NEURODEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES IN PRETERM INFANTS RECEIVING EARLY PARENTERAL NUTRITION: A SYSTEMATIC EVALUATION OF COGNITIVE, MOTOR, AND BEHAVIORAL TRAJECTORIES

Background: Preterm infants are at a higher risks of neurodevelopment impairments because of metabolic and nutritional challenges  during early life period. EPN plays a vital role in treating NICUs which helps in development and growth of infants. Researchers have not yet determined how EPN works in neurodevelopment at early infants period over long-term periods. The study assesses research-based evidence regarding the neurodevelopmental issues from preterm infants who receive early parenteral nutrition as part of their care. Objectives: The research evaluates the impacts of early nutritional treatments on infant cognitive ability, their motor skills and behavioral development through different stages of infancy. Methodology: The literature search used PubMed and Scopus along with Embase and Web of Science to identify studies from 2012 to 2024. The analysis included some studies: randomized controlled trials, cohort studies and their systematic reviews together with cohort studies and systematic reviews of neurodevelopmental effects in preterm infants at early stage of their life. Quality evaluation along with data extraction proceeded in accordance with PRISMA methods. Researchers performed both a narrative synthesis as well as a meta-analysis. Results: A 21 researcher studies have been performed about EPN on the neurodevelopemental pathways of pretern infants. The administration of essential amino acids, lipids and micronutrients during an early period positively affected cognitive and motor development in children with premature birth. The research indicated that metabolic disturbances together with potential long-term behavioral issues existed within certain studies. Various study approaches and differing follow-up periods and nutritional treatment methods produced inconsistent results among the reported study outcomes. Conclusion: Neurodevelopmental support for preterm infants becomes essential through early parenteral nutrition because it improves both cognitive abilities and motor control development. There exists a need to conduct more investigations about long-term behavioral implications. Future research must concentrate on finding optimal nutritional approaches that deliver maximum neurodevelopmental outcomes without compromising metabolic security.