Gray matter volumetric MRI differences late-preterm and term infants

Area of Science:

• Neonatal neuroscience
• Developmental pediatrics
• Neuroimaging and lipid metabolism

Background:

• The third trimester is crucial for fetal brain development, particularly gray matter growth and lipid deposition.
• Late-preterm infants may face unique developmental challenges compared to full-term infants.
• Understanding factors influencing brain development in preterm infants is vital for addressing potential disabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare brain volumes, specifically gray matter, between late-preterm and term infants.
• To investigate the relationship between infant brain volume and cord blood lipid profiles.
• To explore potential links between lipid nutrition and gray matter development in preterm infants.

Main Methods:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure brain volumes (cerebrum, gray matter, white matter) in 16 late-preterm and 13 term infants.
• Serum lipid profiles, including cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and lipoproteins, were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography.
• Statistical analyses were performed to compare groups and assess correlations between variables.

Main Results:

• Late-preterm infants exhibited significantly smaller gray matter volume and a lower percentage of gray matter within the cerebrum compared to term infants.
• No significant differences were observed in overall head circumference, cerebrum volume, or white matter volume between the groups.
• Gray matter volume positively correlated with gestational age, head circumference, and high-density lipoprotein-triglyceride (HDL-TG) levels.

Conclusions:

• Late-preterm infants present with reduced gray matter volume despite normal head circumference, suggesting a specific developmental delay.
• Gestational age and head circumference are key factors associated with gray matter volume.
• High-density lipoprotein-triglycerides (HDL-TG) may play a role in facilitating fatty acid transport and supporting gray matter development in newborns, potentially impacting neurodevelopmental outcomes.