An estimated 13 million infants were born preterm (prior to 37 completed weeks of gestation) in 2020 globally, and up to 450,000 infants (approximately 12%) are born prematurely annually in the US. The high incidence of low birth weight and preterm birth is accompanied by disrupted bone development as well as metabolic and autonomic outcomes in animal models and humans. Data collected from human cohorts display strong evidence of risk-outcome relationship between preterm birth and facial bone development. Previous efforts associated with premature birth and perinatal outcomes focused on more conspicuous neuromuscular outcomes such as cerebral palsy or craniofacial abnormalities. However, we found complex risk-outcome relationships in pathophysiological mechanisms underlying skeletal deficiencies in patients who survived preterm or low birth weight experiences.

Boundaries differentiating subfields in clinical health sciences have been reduced with advances in molecular biology and physiochemical engineering. These advances have clarified understanding of adverse effects resulting from preterm/low birth weight. As experienced during efforts to overcome a major health issue, such as processes underlying COVID, traditional anatomical organ-based specialty systems must be dismantled to provide insights. To develop preemptive measures to cope with consequences to the skeletal system of perinatal adverse events, we aim to examine effects associated with prevalent events such as premature/low body weight birth.

To gather further insights into this critical area, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Skeletal Abnormalities from Preterm Births
• Comparative Studies on Musculoskeletal Development in Preterm versus Full-term Infants
• Impact of Nutritional Interventions on Bone Health in Preterm Infants
• Long-term Metabolic Consequences of Preterm Birth
• Interdisciplinary Approaches - Integration of Molecular Biology and Physiochemical Engineering
• Developments in Diagnostic Imaging and Biomarker Discovery
• Assessment Methods for Facial and Skeletal Anomalies
• Advances in the Treatment and Management of Bone Development Issues Post-Preterm Birth

We welcome the submission of different article types to this collection, especially reviews, mini-reviews, and original research papers.

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Consequences and Potential Pathophysiology of Perinatal Complications on Development and Maturation – Special Emphasis on Preterm Birth