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Updated: Dec 29, 2025
Preterm EEG: A Multimodal Neurophysiological Protocol
Published on: February 18, 2012
Tracking regional brain growth up to age 13 in children born term and very preterm
Deanne K Thompson1,2,3,4, Lillian G Matthews5, Bonnie Alexander6,7
1Victorian Infant Brain Study (VIBeS), Murdoch Children's Research Institute, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia. deanne.thompson@mcri.edu.au.
Insights
This study tracked regional brain growth in very preterm (VP) and full-term (FT) children from infancy to adolescence. VP children showed slower brain development and smaller overall brain size compared to FT peers.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Pediatric Imaging
Background:
- Longitudinal data on regional brain growth from infancy through adolescence is limited.
- Understanding typical and atypical brain development is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe serial regional brain growth in very preterm (VP) and full-term (FT) children.
- To identify factors associated with brain growth differences and their impact on neurodevelopment.
Main Methods:
- Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was conducted on 216 VP and 45 FT children at term-equivalent age, 7 years, and 13 years.
- Growth was analyzed across 82 distinct brain regions.
- Perinatal brain abnormalities were assessed in the VP group.
Main Results:
- Brain volumes increased significantly between term-equivalent age and 7 years, with faster growth observed in FT children.
- Perinatal brain abnormalities in VP children correlated with reduced brain volume increase.
- Between 7 and 13 years, brain volumes stabilized, with some regions growing and others shrinking.
- VP children consistently exhibited smaller brain sizes compared to FT peers at 13 years.
- Parieto-frontal region growth between 7 and 13 years in FT children was linked to higher intelligence.
Conclusions:
- Very preterm birth is associated with altered regional brain growth trajectories throughout childhood and adolescence.
- Parieto-frontal development correlates with cognitive outcomes in typically developing children.
- This research provides critical insights into neurodevelopmental patterns in preterm populations.
Abstract:
Serial regional brain growth from the newborn period to adolescence has not been described. Here, we measured regional brain growth in 216 very preterm (VP) and 45 full-term (FT) children. Brain MRI was performed at term-equivalent age, 7 and 13 years in 82 regions. Brain volumes increased between term-equivalent and 7 years, with faster growth in the FT than VP group. Perinatal brain abnormality was associated with less increase in brain volume between term-equivalent and 7 years in the VP group. Between 7 and 13 years, volumes were relatively stable, with some subcortical and cortical regions increasing while others reduced. Notably, VP infants continued to lag, with overall brain size generally less than that of FT peers at 13 years. Parieto-frontal growth, mainly between 7 and 13 years in FT children, was associated with higher intelligence at 13 years. This study improves understanding of typical and atypical regional brain growth.
