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 .
Auditory event-related potentials are related to cognition at preschool age after very preterm birth
Background : Auditory event-related potentials ( AERP ) are neurophysiological correlates of sound perception and cognitive processes . Our aim was to study in very preterm born children at preschool age if AERP correlate with cognitive outcome . Methods : Seventy children ( mean ± SD gestational age 27.4 ± 1.9 wk , birth weight 996 ± 288 g ) were investigated at age 4.3–5.3 y with psychological testing ( WPPSI-R , four subtests of NEPSY ) . Electroencephalogram was recorded while they listened to a repeated st and ard tone , r and omly replaced by one of three deviants .  Latencies and amplitudes for AERP components and mean amplitudes in successive 50-ms AERP time windows were measured . Results : Better cognitive test results and higher gestational age correlated with shorter P1 latencies and more positive mean amplitudes 150–500 ms after stimulus change onset . Neonatal brain damage was associated with a negative displacement of AERP curves . Neonatal morbidity had an impact on earlier time windows while gestational age and brain damage on both early and later time windows . Conclusion : AERP measures were associated with cognitive outcome . Neonatal morbidity mainly affects early cortical auditory encoding , while immaturity and brain damage additionally influence higher cortical functions of auditory perception and distraction . Perinatal auditory environment might play a role in development of auditory processing
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 .