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Published on: November 20, 2015
Brain White Matter Maturation and Early Developmental Outcomes in Preterm Infants With Retinopathy of Prematurity
Seong Joon Ahn1, Joo Young Lee2,3, Ji Young Lee4
1Department of Ophthalmology, Hanyang University Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Insights
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) did not significantly impact preterm infants' white matter development or 18-month outcomes. However, white matter integrity was linked to later developmental scores, suggesting potential for early intervention.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neonatal Medicine
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant concern in preterm infants, potentially affecting neurodevelopment.
- Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) is a key tool for assessing white matter integrity.
- Understanding the relationship between ROP, white matter development, and long-term outcomes is crucial for improving care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate brain white matter pathways in preterm infants using DTI.
- To correlate DTI findings with developmental outcomes at 18 months corrected age.
- To examine differences in white matter and development between infants with and without ROP.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 84 preterm infants.
- DTI at term-equivalent age to generate probabilistic maps of 26 white matter pathways.
- Assessment of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) values.
- Developmental assessment using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID-III) at 18 months corrected age.
- Multiple regression analyses to assess associations.
Main Results:
- No significant association found between ROP/severe ROP and white matter pathway maturation.
- No significant differences in FA/MD values or BSID-III scores between infants with and without ROP.
- Significant association observed between BSID-III scores and FA/MD values in several white matter pathways.
Conclusions:
- ROP or severe ROP was not significantly linked to delays in white matter pathway maturation.
- Developmental outcomes were comparable between preterm infants with and without ROP.
- White matter integrity, assessed by DTI, showed associations with later developmental outcomes.
Purpose:
To investigate brain white matter pathways using magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and correlate the findings with developmental outcomes at 18 months of corrected age in preterm infants with and without retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Methods:
In this prospective cohort study, probabilistic maps of the 26 white matter pathways associated with motor, cognitive, visual, and limbic/language functions were generated in 84 preterm infants using DTI obtained at term-equivalent age. The mean fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) values were compared between those with and without ROP. Developmental outcomes were assessed using the third edition of Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID-III) at 18 months of corrected age. Multiple regression analyses were performed to confirm the association among developmental outcomes, white matter pathways, and ROP or severe ROP after adjusting for potential confounders.
Results:
The white matter pathways were insignificantly associated with ROP or severe ROP. There were no significant differences in the FA and MD values of the pathways between ROP infants treated with and without bevacizumab therapy. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in BSID-III scores between infants with and without ROP or severe ROP. The BSID-III scores at 18 months of age showed a significant association with FA or MD values in several pathways.
Conclusions:
ROP or severe ROP was insignificantly associated with maturation delay of the white matter pathways. Developmental outcomes were similar between preterm infants with and without ROP or severe ROP or between ROP infants with and without intravitreal bevacizumab therapy.
