Possible acceleration of neurological maturation following high-risk pregnancy.

Evidence of an advance on neurological maturation of 4 weeks or more was detected in 16 infants with gestational ages between 30 and 37 weeks. These infants were all from pregnancies in which it is fair to conclude that one form or another of intrauterine stress was in operation. The hypothesis is advanced that unfavorable intrauterine conditions can induce an acceleration of neurologic development.