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Updated: Feb 1, 2026
Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
Brain structure and neurological and behavioural functioning in infants born preterm
Claire E Kelly1, Deanne K Thompson1,2,3, Jeanie Ly Cheong1,4,5
1Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
Insights
White matter changes in preterm infants are linked to neurological and behavioral outcomes at term-equivalent age. These brain structure-function relationships are consistent across very and moderate-late preterm groups.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Preterm birth can impact neurodevelopment, affecting brain structure and function.
- Understanding brain structure-function relationships is crucial for identifying risks in preterm infants.
- Differences in outcomes between very preterm and moderate-late preterm infants require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate relationships between brain structure and neurological/behavioral functioning in preterm infants at term-equivalent age.
- To determine if these brain structure-function relationships differ between very preterm and moderate-late preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Structural and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to assess brain structure in 257-263 preterm infants.
- Neurological and behavioral assessments included Prechtl's general movements, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS), and Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (HNNE).
- Linear regressions, Voxel-Based Morphometry, and Tract-Based Spatial Statistics analyzed associations between brain measures and functional assessments.
Main Results:
- Suboptimal neurological and behavioral scores were associated with altered white matter microstructure (fractional anisotropy, axial/radial/mean diffusivities) in specific brain tracts.
- Associations were observed in the corpus callosum, optic radiation, and corona radiata.
- Brain structure-function relationships did not significantly differ between very preterm and moderate-late preterm infants.
Conclusions:
- White matter microstructural alterations may correlate with neurological and behavioral performance in preterm infants at term-equivalent age.
- Brain structure-function relationships appear consistent across different degrees of preterm birth (very preterm vs. moderate-late preterm).
- Brain volume was not found to be related to neurological or behavioral function in this cohort.
Aim:
To examine: (1) relationships between brain structure, and concurrently assessed neurological and behavioural functioning, in infants born preterm at term-equivalent age (TEA; approximately 38-44wks); and (2) whether brain structure-function relationships differ between infants born very (24-29wks) and moderate-late (32-36wks) preterm.
Method:
A total of 257 infants (91 very preterm, 166 moderate-late preterm; 120 males, 137 females) had structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurological and behavioural assessments (Prechtl's general movements assessment, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale [NNNS] and Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination [HNNE]). Two hundred and sixty-three infants (90 very preterm, 173 moderate-late preterm; 131 males, 132 females) had diffusion MRI and assessments. Associations were investigated between assessment scores and global brain volumes using linear regressions, regional brain volumes using Voxel-Based Morphometry, and white matter microstructure using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics.
Results:
Suboptimal scores on some assessments were associated with lower fractional anisotropy and/or higher axial, radial, and mean diffusivities in some tracts: NNNS attention and reflexes, and HNNE total score and tone, were associated with the corpus callosum and optic radiation; NNNS quality of movement with the corona radiata; HNNE abnormal signs with several major tracts. Brain structure-function associations generally did not differ between the very and moderate-late preterm groups.
Interpretation:
White matter microstructural alterations may be associated with suboptimal neurological and behavioural performance in some domains at TEA in infants born preterm. Brain structure-function relationships are similar for infants born very preterm and moderate-late preterm.
What This Paper Adds:
Brain volume is not related to neurological/behavioural function in infants born preterm at term. White matter microstructure is related to some neurological/behavioural domains at term. Brain-behaviour relationships are generally similar for infants born very preterm and moderate-late preterm.
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