Social Determinants of Health and Early Brain Development.

In this article, we review recent research linking prenatal Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) to fetal and neonatal brain development, highlighting their deleterious impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes and the need for early interventions. We summarize (1) the role of social risk factors in prenatal SDoH related to very preterm birth, (2) links between prenatal SDoH risk factors and neonatal brain structure and function, and (3) the multiple mechanisms postulated to underlie these links. Finally, we discuss promising randomized control trials that directly modify SDoH risk factors and make evidence-based recommendations for improving clinical research and practice that promotes brain development.