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Early brain microstructural development among preterm infants requiring caesarean section versus those delivered
Pratheek S Bobba1, Clara F Weber2, Ajay Malhotra1
1Yale School of Medicine.
Research Square
|October 27, 2023
Summary
Cesarean sections in preterm births are linked to poorer white matter integrity in infant brains. This finding suggests a need for close neurological follow-up for C-section delivered infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neuroscience
- Developmental pediatrics
- Medical imaging
Background:
- Rising rates of cesarean sections (C-sections) in preterm births.
- Unclear long-term neurological outcomes associated with C-sections in preterm infants.
Approach:
- Utilized diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to assess brain white matter (WM) microstructural integrity.
- Retrospectively analyzed DTI scans and health records of preterm infants without neuroimaging abnormalities.
- Applied voxel-wise and tract-based analyses to evaluate delivery method's association with DTI metrics.
Key Points:
- Preterm infants delivered via C-section showed significantly lower fractional anisotropy and higher diffusivity in major white matter tracts compared to vaginally delivered infants.
- Findings may be partially mediated by lower birth weight in C-section infants.
- Lower white matter integrity suggests potential risk for delayed neurodevelopment.
Conclusions:
- Cesarean delivery in preterm infants is associated with altered white matter microstructural integrity.
- These infants may benefit from close neurological follow-up for early intervention.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term neurological implications.
