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Variations in brain morphometry among healthy preschoolers born preterm
Holly M Hasler1, Timothy T Brown2, Natacha Akshoomoff3
1Center for Human Development, University of California San Diego, United States of America; San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, United States of America.
Early Human Development
|November 22, 2019
Summary
Children born preterm show distinct brain structure differences by age five. These gray matter variations in cortical thickness and surface area suggest altered brain maturation impacting neurodevelopment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Pediatric Imaging
Background:
- Preterm birth increases neonatal brain injury risk, affecting brain maturation and long-term neurodevelopment.
- Even healthy preterm infants face subtle brain injuries impacting future cognitive function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gray matter morphometry in healthy children born preterm at 5 years of age.
- To analyze cortical thickness, surface area, and sulcal depth using MRI.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study comparing 52 preterm infants (<33 weeks gestational age) with 37 full-term infants.
- MRI data analyzed using FreeSurfer for cortical segmentation and morphometry calculations.
- Surface-based, voxel-wise analyses compared morphometric measures between groups.
Main Results:
- Preterm children exhibited thinner cortex in temporal/parietal regions and thicker cortex in occipital/inferior frontal regions.
- Reduced surface area was observed in the fusiform gyrus of preterm children.
- Sulcal depth varied, showing reductions in posterior parietal/inferior temporal areas and increases in middle temporal/medial parietal regions.
Conclusions:
- Significant regional differences in cortical thickness, surface area, and sulcal depth were found in 5-year-olds born preterm compared to full-term.
- Cortical thickness findings align with previous studies in older populations, suggesting persistent alterations.
- Sulcal depth differences may indicate maturational delays or permanent changes due to perinatal factors in preterm infants.
