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Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Very Preterm, Moderate-Late Preterm and Term-Born Neonates: A Systematic Review
Megan Dibble1, Jin Zhe Ang2, Liam Mariga2
1Cognitive Systems Group, Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
The Journal of Pediatrics
|January 16, 2021
Summary
Diffusion tensor imaging reveals widespread white matter abnormalities in preterm neonates compared to full-term infants. These microstructural changes, particularly in the corpus callosum, may predict future neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neuroscience
- Neuroimaging research
- Developmental pediatrics
Background:
- Preterm birth is associated with increased risk of neurodevelopmental disabilities.
- Understanding white matter development in preterm infants is crucial for early intervention.
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) offers insights into white matter microstructure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate white matter abnormalities using DTI in very preterm and moderate-late preterm neonates at term-equivalent age.
- To compare DTI findings in preterm neonates with healthy full-term controls.
- To assess the potential of DTI as a prognostic tool for neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of Medline (PubMed) for DTI studies.
- Inclusion of studies adhering to Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) and PRISMA guidelines.
- Analysis of DTI data from very preterm (<32 weeks), moderate-late preterm (32-37 weeks), and full-term (≥37 weeks) neonates.
Main Results:
- Eleven studies involving 554 very preterm, 575 moderate-late preterm, and 318 full-term neonates were included.
- Significant diffusion measure differences indicating white matter microstructural changes were observed in all preterm subgroups compared to controls.
- These abnormalities were more pronounced in the very preterm group, with the corpus callosum consistently affected across studies.
Conclusions:
- Preterm birth is linked to microstructural white matter alterations detectable by DTI at term-equivalent age.
- These DTI-identified changes may underlie later neurodevelopmental disabilities in preterm infants.
- DTI shows promise as a valuable prognostic tool for identifying neurodevelopmental risks in preterm neonates.
