Early brain microstructural development among preterm infants requiring caesarean section versus those delivered...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neonatalogy
• Radiology

Background:

• Rising rates of caesarean sections (C-sections) in preterm births raise concerns about long-term infant health.
• The impact of delivery method on neurological development in preterm infants remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between delivery method (vaginal vs. C-section) and brain white matter (WM) microstructural integrity in preterm infants using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of DTI scans and health records from preterm infants without pre-discharge MRI abnormalities.
• Voxel-wise and tract-based DTI analyses were employed to assess white matter integrity.
• Statistical models controlled for potential confounding factors.

Main Results:

• Preterm infants delivered via C-section exhibited significantly lower fractional anisotropy and higher diffusivity in major white matter tracts compared to vaginally delivered infants.
• These findings were observed even after accounting for covariates, though partially mediated by lower birth weight in the C-section group.

Conclusions:

• C-section delivery in preterm infants is associated with altered white matter microstructure.
• Infants born via C-section may face increased risks for delayed neurodevelopment, highlighting the need for vigilant neurological monitoring and early intervention.