VUB research into brain veins reveals risk of brain damage in premature babies

Better knowledge of vulnerable veins helps prevent brain damage and personalise care

11/05/2026

BRUSSELS, 27 April 2026 - Why do some premature babies suffer brain damage and others not? A new study led by paediatrician and neonatologist Dr Fleur Camfferman (VUB/UZ Brussel) takes us closer to the answer. By examining not the supply but the flow of blood to the brain, doctors can see much more quickly which babies need extra protection. This discovery opens the way to a treatment tailored precisely to the needs of the smallest patient.

For nearly half a century, doctors around the world have focused on the arteries to monitor the health of babies' brains. But Dr Camfferman's PhD research shows that these figures often overlook important dangers. The real key seems to lie in the veins: the blood vessels that drain blood away from the brain.

An "early warning system

When a baby is born prematurely (before 32 weeks), its brain is still under construction. The blood vessels are so thin and fragile that a small variation in pressure can cause haemorrhaging.

"It's like a drainpipe that can't take the pressure," explains Dr Camfferman. "Our study shows that we can tell from the flow of the veins whether the brain is in trouble. If the blood can't flow easily, the pressure increases and the vessels can burst. Thanks to this new vision, we may be able to identify these children at risk much more quickly".

Tailor-made care rather than a single solution

Until now, almost all premature babies received the same standard treatment depending on their weight or date of birth. Dr Camfferman's results argue in favour of a more personalised approach. If the doctor can see from the ultrasound that the blood flow is stable, he or she can decide, on the basis of other parameters, that a treatment, which can also always have drawbacks, may not be necessary. For babies whose measurements reveal a risk, the doctor may decide to start a course of medication and incorporate additional rest, for example by using an isolation chamber or by encouraging more 'kangarooing' (skin-to-skin contact with parents). The latter is not only essential for the parent-child bond, but the parent also plays an important co-regulatory role in protecting the child's brain.

The future: AI as a digital assistant

Research is also looking at the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Given that babies in intensive care generate huge amounts of data, centralised recording of this data using AI models could in future make it possible to see patterns invisible to the human eye. For example, a computer programme could signal to a doctor: "Be careful, this baby needs extra support now".

Safety first

Finally, Dr Camfferman stresses that these precision measurements are only effective if they are carried out with the utmost care. She is therefore advocating better technical training for paediatricians who perform the ultrasound themselves at the patient's bedside. Only with the right equipment can we offer these vulnerable babies the safety they deserve.

Reference:

Camfferman Fleur A, Paul Govaert, Floris Groenendaal, Tim Vanderhasselt, Filip Cools and Jeroen Dudink. American Journal of Neuroradiology 2025, ajnr.A9137; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.A9137

Camfferman FA, Govaert P, Lequin MH, Groenendaal F, Tataranno ML, Kizilates U, Benders MJNL, Dudink J. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2026 Feb 3;47(2):496-502. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.A8985

Contact

Dr Fleur Camfferman, tel. available on demand, mail : Fleur.camfferman@uzbrussel.be