According to our findings , auditory event‐related potentials can help to predict neurodevelopmental outcome in preterms .
Both prospect i ve and cross‐sectional studies reported a relationship between AERPs and cognitive outcome .
Our results show that larger amplitudes and shorter latencies of late AERPs are related to better cognitive outcomes .
HIGHLIGHTSPreterm birth is associated with an elevated risk for neurodevelopmental deficits .
Auditory event‐related potentials can be used to assess early cognitive functioning .
This paper represents the first systematic review investigating the predictive power of AERPs on  cognition in preterms .
ABSTRACT Prematurity is a known risk factor for later cognitive deficits .
At present there are neither behavioral nor neurological tests available to detect those preterm infants who would benefit most from early interventions .
Neurophysiologic methods , and more specifically , auditory event‐related potentials ( AERPs ) are convenient tools to investigate early cognitive functioning .
However , the capability of AERPs as a prognostic factor for mental development in preterm infants remains unclear .
Habituation as Parameter for Prediction of Mental Development in Healthy Preterm Infants
The aim of this prospect i ve pilot study was to evaluate the predictive value of discrimination and habituation , which was measured by mismatch negativity in 17 healthy very preterm ( mean gestational age 27.4 weeks ; range 25.0 - 31.3 ) and 16 term ( mean gestational age 40.3 weeks ; range 37.9 - 41.7 ) born infants at term equivalent age .  Developmental outcome was measured by Bayley Scales of Infant Development – I in 13 preterm and 13 term-born children at a mean age of 21.7 months ( ±2.18 ) and 18.5 months ( ±1.9 ) , respectively . No differences in amplitude and latency of the mismatch negativity were found between both groups at term equivalent age . Within the preterm group habituation capacity was positively correlated with the Mental Developmental Index ( r = .654 , P = .008 ) and Performance Developmental Index ( r = .482 , P = .048 ) at 21 months . Early learning capability , as measured by habituation , may be associated with a better prognosis for early mental development in healthy preterm infants
According to our findings , auditory event‐related potentials can help to predict neurodevelopmental outcome in preterms .
Both prospect i ve and cross‐sectional studies reported a relationship between AERPs and cognitive outcome .
Our results show that larger amplitudes and shorter latencies of late AERPs are related to better cognitive outcomes .
HIGHLIGHTSPreterm birth is associated with an elevated risk for neurodevelopmental deficits .
Auditory event‐related potentials can be used to assess early cognitive functioning .
This paper represents the first systematic review investigating the predictive power of AERPs on  cognition in preterms .
ABSTRACT Prematurity is a known risk factor for later cognitive deficits .
At present there are neither behavioral nor neurological tests available to detect those preterm infants who would benefit most from early interventions .
Neurophysiologic methods , and more specifically , auditory event‐related potentials ( AERPs ) are convenient tools to investigate early cognitive functioning .
However , the capability of AERPs as a prognostic factor for mental development in preterm infants remains unclear .