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Volumetric analysis of regional cerebral development in preterm children
Shelli R Kesler1, Laura R Ment, Betty Vohr
1Stanford Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5719, USA.
Insights
Preterm birth can alter brain development, leading to enlarged parietal and frontal gray matter and reduced temporal gray matter. Lower birth weight and intraventricular hemorrhage increase the risk of neuroanatomic abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Preterm birth is a leading cause of neuropathologic and cognitive deficits in children.
- Understanding the neuroanatomic correlates of preterm birth is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cortical lobe, subcortical, and lateral ventricle development in preterm children.
- To examine the association between perinatal factors and neuroanatomic development.
- To explore the relationship between brain development and cognitive outcomes in preterm individuals.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to quantify brain structures.
- Seventy-three preterm children and 33 term-born controls (ages 7.3-11.4 years) were included.
- Advanced image processing techniques were employed for volumetric analysis.
Main Results:
- Preterm children showed enlarged parietal and frontal gray matter, occipital horn, and ventricular body compared to controls.
- Reduced temporal and subcortical gray matter volumes were observed in preterm individuals.
- Lower birth weight correlated with smaller parietal, frontal gray matter, and occipital horn volumes.
- Intraventricular hemorrhage was linked to reduced subcortical gray matter.
- Maternal education was the strongest predictor of cognitive function in preterm children.
Conclusions:
- Preterm birth is associated with disorganized cortical development, potentially due to disrupted synaptic pruning and neural migration.
- Lower birth weight and intraventricular hemorrhage are risk factors for neuroanatomic abnormalities in preterm infants.
- These findings highlight the long-term impact of preterm birth on brain structure and cognitive function.
Abstract:
Preterm birth is frequently associated with both neuropathologic and cognitive sequelae. This study examined cortical lobe, subcortical, and lateral ventricle development in association with perinatal variables and cognitive outcome. High-resolution volumetric magnetic resonance imaging scans were acquired and quantified using advanced image processing techniques. Seventy-three preterm and 33 term control children ages 7.3-11.4 years were included in the study. Results indicated disproportionately enlarged parietal and frontal gray matter, occipital horn, and ventricular body, as well as reduced temporal and subcortical gray volumes in preterm children compared with control subjects. Birth weight was negatively correlated with parietal and frontal gray, as well as occipital horn volumes. Intraventricular hemorrhage was associated with reduced subcortical gray matter. Ventricular cerebrospinal fluid was negatively correlated with subcortical gray matter volumes but not with white matter volumes. Maternal education was the strongest predictor of cognitive function in the preterm group. Preterm birth appears to be associated with disorganized cortical development, possibly involving disrupted synaptic pruning and neural migration. Lower birth weight and the presence of intraventricular hemorrhage may increase the risk for neuroanatomic abnormality.
