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Updated: Oct 20, 2025

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Physical growth and brain MRI predict the neurodevelopmental outcomes in very low birth weight infants at 2-year-old

Juan Gui1, Yumei Liu1, Yifei Wang1

  • 1Department of NICU, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China.

Neuro Endocrinology Letters
|September 10, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants show motor development delays but catch up intellectually by age two. Physical growth and brain MRI are key predictors of neurodevelopmental outcomes in these infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Pediatric Neurology

Background:

  • Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants face significant risks for neurodevelopmental challenges.
  • Early identification of predictive factors is crucial for timely intervention and improved outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the predictive value of physical growth parameters and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on neurodevelopmental outcomes in VLBW infants.

Main Methods:

  • Eighty-five VLBW infants were monitored, with measurements of weight, length, and head circumference.
  • Anthropometric data were analyzed using Z-scores (WAZ, HAZ, HCZ, WHZ).
  • Neurodevelopmental assessments were conducted at various corrected ages.

Main Results:

  • Motor Development Index (PDI) was consistently lower than in normal peers. Mental Development Index (MDI) initially declined but normalized by 24 months.
  • Weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) approached normal with age, while head circumference Z-score (HCZ) decreased.
  • Brain MRI at 12 months showed predictive value for long-term neurodevelopment.

Conclusions:

  • VLBW infants experience motor deficits but achieve comparable intellectual development to healthy peers by age two.
  • Physical development in infancy strongly correlates with long-term neurodevelopmental trajectories.
  • Brain MRI serves as a valuable tool for predicting neurodevelopmental outcomes in VLBW infants.
Abstract

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