Early learning begins long before the first day of preschool and two new studies suggest that premature babies may face bigger challenges in their neurological development than other infants.

One study found that babies born before 30 weeks who experienced stress in a neonatal intensive care unit from such things as intubation and diaper changing showed slower brain development, HealthDay reports. 

"Our findings suggest that stress exposure reduces the brain size in early preterm infants and long-term consequences are unknown," study co-leader Dr. Terrie Inder, researcher at St. Louis Children's Hospital in Missouri, said in a journal news release. "However, prior research has found that brain volume at (term) birth is a predictor of neurodevelopmental outcomes later in childhood." -- Stress May Affect Preemies' Brains, Study Shows. 10/4/11. HealthDay.

Another study released in Pediatrics today found the rate of autism was five times higher among those born at low birth-weights.

Clearly, these studies emphasize the need for more research on the impact premature birth has on a baby’s life. If we are going to build a better early education system, we need to pay close attention to what happens in those first minutes and days of an infant’s life.

This type of research is even more important during a time when there is little extra public funding because it could save a lot of money over the long term. For example, recognizing risk factors and early signs of autism supports earlier intervention, which, in turn, holds the promise of reducing the disorder’s symptoms, or even halting it, one writer says. 

New research says it's possible to help diagnose autism in babies as young as a year old, and an early diagnosis could allow for earlier intervention or potentially stop a child from developing autism. -- “Breakthroughs in Diagnosing, One Day Preventing Autism.” On Special Education blog, Education Week. 10/16/11.