Public Data Commons

This project examines how premature birth influences school readiness by integrating medical records, brain imaging, and input from local communities in Virginia. The study connects neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) data with statewide kindergarten assessments to identify early risk factors for learning and social skills. It also uses MRI data from the Developing Human Connectome Project (dHCP) to explore the neural mechanisms behind these risks. To ensure the research addresses real-world needs, families of preterm children are interviewed and involved throughout the study. The aim is to develop early support systems for children born early to help them succeed in school.