Brain structure and neurocognitive and behavioural function in adolescents who were born very preterm

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Pediatrics
• Radiology

Background:

• Infants born very preterm (<33 weeks) face higher risks of neurocognitive deficits.
• Neonatal ultrasonography predicts neurodevelopmental outcomes up to age 8, but later function remains less understood.
• This study examines the long-term effects of very preterm birth on adolescent brain structure and function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of very preterm birth on adolescent brain structure.
• To assess neurocognitive and behavioral functioning in adolescents born very preterm.
• To correlate adolescent brain findings with early life factors and outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 105 infants born before 33 weeks gestation were prospectively followed.
• At 14-15 years, 72 very preterm individuals and 21 controls underwent brain MRI and neurocognitive/behavioral assessments.
• MRI scans were independently reviewed by neuroradiologists.

Main Results:

• Over half (40/72) of very preterm individuals had abnormal MRI scans, compared to one control.
• Common MRI abnormalities included ventricular, corpus callosum, and white matter lesions.
• Very preterm individuals exhibited significantly more reading, adjustment, and neurological impairments, with behavior linked to MRI findings.

Conclusions:

• Adolescents born very preterm demonstrate a higher prevalence of neurocognitive and behavioral problems.
• More than half of very preterm individuals exhibit abnormal brain structure on adolescent MRI.
• MRI is crucial for identifying brain abnormalities in very preterm individuals, impacting long-term function.