Habituation Alteration in Infants with Periventricular Echogenicity as an Indicator of Neurocognitive Impairment.

Habituation difficulties may suggest neurocognitive impairment. Periventricular echogenicity (PVE) potentially causes subtle damage that poses neuropsychological risk. Habituation was evaluated through heart rate and behavioral states in infants at 36-37 weeks of corrected age between control and PVE groups. PVE infants showed early alertness and abrupt changes in behavioral states. However, the comparison group could better regulate their states. Heart rate was significantly high and remained unchanged in the PVE group but decreased in the control group. Alterations during the habituation paradigm in PVE infants could be early indicators of neuropsychological risk impairment. Scope of early habituation assessment is discussed.