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Relations between brain volumes, neuropsychological assessment and parental questionnaire in prematurely born
Annika Lind1, Leena Haataja, Liisi Rautava
1Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland. annika.lind@abo.fi
Insights
Brain volumes in very low birth weight (VLBW) children at term equivalent age are linked to neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 5. Smaller brain volumes correlate with poorer executive and motor functions, while larger brainstem volume is associated with language deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants face risks for neurodevelopmental challenges.
- Understanding the impact of early brain development on later function is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between brain volumes in VLBW children and their neuropsychological functions at age 5.
- To compare neuropsychological assessments with parental questionnaires for developmental and behavioral outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Brain MRI was conducted on VLBW infants at term equivalent age to measure brain volumes.
- Neuropsychological assessments (NEPSY II) and parental questionnaires (Five to Fifteen - FTF) were administered at age 5.
- A control group of term-born children provided reference values.
Main Results:
- No significant associations were found between brain volumes and NEPSY II domains.
- Smaller total brain tissue volume correlated with poorer executive functions on the FTF.
- Smaller cerebellar volume was linked to poorer executive functions and motor skills on the FTF.
- Larger brainstem volume was surprisingly associated with poorer language functions on the FTF.
- NEPSY II domains (Executive Functioning, Language, Motor Skills) showed significant associations with corresponding FTF domains.
Conclusions:
- Altered brain volumes in VLBW children at term equivalent age impact neurodevelopmental outcomes at 5 years.
- The FTF questionnaire is a valuable tool for assessing development and behavior, especially when combined with other neuropsychological assessments.
Abstract:
The objective of this study is to assess the relationship between brain volumes at term equivalent age and neuropsychological functions at 5 years of age in very low birth weight (VLBW) children, and to compare the results from a neuropsychological assessment and a parental questionnaire at 5 years of age. The study group included a regional cohort of 97 VLBW children and a control group of 161 children born at term. At term equivalent age, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on the VLBW children, and analysed for total and regional brain volumes. At 5 years of age, a psychologist assessed the neuropsychological performance with NEPSY II, and parents completed the Five to fifteen (FTF) questionnaire on development and behaviour. The results of the control group were used to give the age-specific reference values. No significant associations were found between the brain volumes and the NEPSY II domains. As for the FTF, significant associations were found between a smaller total brain tissue volume and poorer executive functions, between a smaller cerebellar volume and both poorer executive functions and motor skills, and, surprisingly, between a larger volume of brainstem and poorer language functions. Even after adjustment for total brain tissue volume, the two associations between the cerebellar volume and the FTF domains remained borderline significant (P = 0.05). The NEPSY II domains Executive Functioning, Language and Motor Skills were significantly associated with the corresponding FTF domains. In conclusion, altered brain volumes at term equivalent age appear to affect development still at 5 years of age. The FTF seems to be a good instrument when used in combination with other neuropsychological assessment.
