Brain Volumes at Term-Equivalent Age in Preterm Infants: Imaging Biomarkers for Neurodevelopmental Outcome through Early School Age

The motor profile of preterm infants at 11 y of age

“…In contrast to our results, a recent study with shorter follow-up time of 5.5 y found no correlations between automatically segmented brain volumes at term age and motor outcome in very preterm born children (19). The difference might be explained by the fact that our study included more major brain pathologies and also more children with CP.…”

“…We have previously shown the predictive value of structural brain MRI at term age for neurosensory, cognitive and neurological outcome in very preterm born children at 2, 5, and 11 y of age (16)(17)(18). A recent study did not find correlations between brain volumes at term age and the Movement ABC-2 scores at age 5.5 y (19). We have recently published the associations between brain volumes at term age and neurological performance at 11 y of age in very preterm born children (18).…”

Imaging structural and functional brain development in early childhood

“…Most studies to date have focused mainly on premature infants. For example, studies of premature infants have generally found that abnormalities of grey-matter and white-matter volume and of white-matter diffusivity are associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcomes 11, 186 . Some more recent studies have begun to explore other risk groups.…”

Can Treatment of Patent Ductus Arteriosus with Ibuprofen Compared to Supportive Management Affect Regional Brain Volume in Very Low Birth Weight Infants? A Pilot Study

“…Between the two groups, there was no difference in Apgar score, incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, and culture proven sepsis. The regional brain vol umes such as gray matter (Period 1 [16,627], P=0.94) were not different between the two groups. Conclusion: Regional brain volumes were not different between pharmacological and conservative treatment in infants with PDA.…”

“…The brains of preterm infants achieve rapid growth during the premature period after birth, and are more vulnerable to various stresses 14,15) ; therefore, PDA still remains a risk factor for PVL, IVH, and white matter damage. In particular, the decreased volume of brain tissue in preterm infants at term equivalent age remains a concern as it can result in adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes later 16) .…”