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 .
Hemisphere Differences in Speech-Sound Event-Related Potentials in Intensive Care Neonates
Neurodevelopmental delays in intensive care neonates are common but difficult to predict . In children , hemisphere differences in cortical processing of speech are predictive of cognitive performance . We hypothesized that hemisphere differences in auditory event-related potentials in intensive care neonates are predictive of neurodevelopment in infancy , even in those born preterm .  Event-related potentials to speech sounds were prospect ively recorded in 57 infants ( gestational age 24 - 40 weeks ) prior to discharge . The Developmental Assessment of Young Children was performed at 6 and 12 months . Hemisphere differences in mean amplitudes increased with postnatal age ( P < .01 ) but not with gestational age . Greater hemisphere differences were associated with improved communication and cognitive scores at 6 and 12 months , but decreased in significance at 12 months after adjusting for socioeconomic and clinical factors . Auditory cortical responses can be used in intensive care neonates to help identify infants at higher risk for delays in infancy
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 .