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Updated: May 25, 2026
Preterm EEG: A Multimodal Neurophysiological Protocol
Published on: February 18, 2012
Gray matter volumetric MRI differences late-preterm and term infants
Shun Munakata1, Tomoo Okada, Aya Okahashi
1Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Insights
Late-preterm infants show smaller gray matter brain volume, potentially linked to neurodevelopmental issues. Higher high-density lipoprotein triglyceride levels correlate with increased gray matter, suggesting a role in infant brain development.
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.
Abstract:
Gray matter develops rapidly during the third trimester of pregnancy, which is a critical period for lipid deposition. We measured brain volume in term and late-preterm infants to determine if it is related to disabilities in late-preterm infants. In addition, we measured serum lipid concentrations to investigate the relationship between brain volume and lipid nutrition. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained in 16 late-preterm and 13 term infants. We measured cerebrum, gray matter, and white matter volumes. We performed serum cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and lipoprotein analyses in cord blood by high-performance liquid chromatography using gel permeation columns to assess lipid nutritional levels. The gray matter volume and percent cerebrum volume of gray matter were significantly smaller in late-preterm infants (p<0.001). Head circumference and cerebrum and white matter volume did not differ between the two groups. Gray matter volume correlated positively with gestational age (r=0.647, p<0.001), head circumference (r=0.688, p<0.001), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-TG levels (r=0.496, p=0.006). Late-preterm infants had a normal head circumference and a lower gray matter volume than term infants. Gestational age and head circumference were significantly associated with gray matter volume. Only HDL-TG levels were significantly associated with gray matter volume. HDL-TG might contribute to the transport of fatty acids and gray matter development during the postnatal period. Thus, delayed gray matter development may partly contribute to neurodevelopmental disabilities in late-preterm infants.
