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Cerebral ventricular volume and temperamental difficulties in infancy. The Generation R Study
Sabine J Roza1, Paul P Govaert, Maarten H Lequin
1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience : JPN
|September 13, 2008
Summary
Infant brain ventricular size variations before and after birth correlate with temperamental difficulties. Smaller ventricles in late pregnancy and early infancy are linked to higher activity and irritability in infants.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Subtle brain morphology deviations are noted in children with psychiatric disorders.
- The early developmental trajectory of these deviations remains largely unknown.
- This study investigates fetal and newborn cerebral ventricular size in relation to infant temperament.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if fetal and newborn cerebral ventricular size is associated with temperamental difficulties in infants.
- To explore the early origins of neurodevelopmental variations linked to temperament.
Main Methods:
- A population-based cohort study included 1028 infants.
- Fetal lateral ventricle size was measured twice during pregnancy using 3D cranial ultrasound.
- Infant ventricular volume was measured at 6 weeks, and temperament was assessed at 3 and 6 months.
Main Results:
- No association was found between mid-pregnancy ventricular size and infant temperament.
- Smaller lateral ventricles in late pregnancy correlated with higher infant activity levels at 6 months.
- Smaller infant ventricular volumes at 6 weeks were linked to higher activity, more anger/irritability, and poorer orienting.
Conclusions:
- Ventricular size variations shortly before and after birth are associated with infant temperamental difficulties.
- These findings suggest that some morphological differences seen in children with psychiatric disorders may originate very early in development.
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