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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Neonatal tract-based spatial statistics findings and outcome in preterm infants
B J M van Kooij1, L S de Vries, G Ball
1Department of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital/University Medical Centre Utrecht, the Netherlands.
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|October 15, 2011
Summary
White matter (WM) microstructure in preterm infants at term equivalent age (TEA) is linked to later cognitive and motor skills. This finding suggests diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) via TBSS can predict neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Biomarkers
Background:
- White matter (WM) injuries in preterm infants can lead to lifelong disabilities.
- Understanding WM microstructure is crucial for predicting neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between WM microstructure at term equivalent age (TEA) and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2-year corrected age in preterm infants.
- To test the hypothesis that WM microstructure, assessed by TBSS, predicts cognitive and motor performance.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-three preterm infants (mean gestational age 28.7 weeks) underwent MRI and DTI at TEA.
- Neurodevelopmental assessment used the BSID-III.
- TBSS was employed for voxelwise analysis of DTI metrics (FA, AD, RD) and their correlation with 2-year outcomes.
Main Results:
- Cognitive scores correlated with fractional anisotropy (FA) in the corpus callosum (CC).
- Fine-motor scores associated with FA and radial diffusivity (RD) across WM.
- Gross-motor scores linked to RD in the CC, fornix, and internal/external capsules.
Conclusions:
- WM microstructure at TEA is significantly associated with cognitive, fine-motor, and gross-motor performance at 2 years.
- TBSS analysis of DTI data at TEA shows potential as a predictive biomarker for neurodevelopment in preterm infants.
