Altered brain function, structure, and developmental trajectory in children born late preterm

Jane E Brumbaugh; Amy L Conrad; Jessica K Lee; Ian J DeVolder; M Bridget Zimmerman; Vincent A Magnotta; Eric D Axelson; Peggy C Nopoulos

doi:10.1038/pr.2016.82

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Altered brain function, structure, and developmental trajectory in children born late preterm

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Altered brain function, structure, and developmental trajectory in children born late preterm

Jane E Brumbaugh, Amy L Conrad, Jessica K Lee, Ian J DeVolder, M Bridget Zimmerman, Vincent A Magnotta, Eric D Axelson and Peggy C Nopoulos

Pediatric research, Vol.80(2), pp.197-203

08/2016

DOI: 10.1038/pr.2016.82

PMCID: PMC4990473

PMID: 27064239

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Abstract

Late preterm birth (34-36 wk gestation) is a common occurrence with potential for altered brain development. This observational cohort study compared children at age 6-13 y based on the presence or absence of the historical risk factor of late preterm birth. Children completed a battery of cognitive assessments and underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Late preterm children (n = 52) demonstrated slower processing speed (P = 0.035) and scored more poorly in visual-spatial perception (P = 0.032) and memory (P = 0.007) than full-term children (n = 74). Parents of late preterm children reported more behavioral difficulty (P = 0.004). There were no group differences in cognitive ability or academic achievement. Imaging revealed similar intracranial volumes but less total tissue and more cerebrospinal fluid (P = 0.004) for late preterm children compared to full-term children. The tissue difference was driven by differences in the cerebrum (P = 0.028) and distributed across cortical (P = 0.051) and subcortical tissue (P = 0.047). Late preterm children had a relatively smaller thalamus (P = 0.012) than full-term children. Only full-term children demonstrated significant decreases in cortical tissue volume (P < 0.001) and thickness (P < 0.001) with age. Late preterm birth may affect cognition, behavior, and brain structure well beyond infancy.

Brain - diagnostic imaging

Brain - anatomy & histology

Anthropometry

Developmental Disabilities - etiology

Humans

Risk Factors

Organ Size

Male

Cognition

Gestational Age

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Cognition Disorders

Infant, Premature

Adolescent

Female

Child

Motor Skills

Infant, Newborn

Cohort Studies

Details

Title: Subtitle: Altered brain function, structure, and developmental trajectory in children born late preterm
Creators: Jane E Brumbaugh - Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Amy L Conrad - Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Jessica K Lee - Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Ian J DeVolder - Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
M Bridget Zimmerman - Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Vincent A Magnotta - Department of Radiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Eric D Axelson - Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Peggy C Nopoulos - Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Pediatric research, Vol.80(2), pp.197-203
DOI: 10.1038/pr.2016.82
PMID: 27064239
PMCID: PMC4990473
NLM abbreviation: Pediatr Res
ISSN: 0031-3998
eISSN: 1530-0447
Publisher: United States
Grant note: K12 HD027748 / NICHD NIH HHS P01 HL046925 / NHLBI NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 08/2016
Academic Unit: Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Neurology; Radiology; Psychiatry; Pediatric Psychology; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Biostatistics; Craniofacial Anomalies Research Center
Record Identifier: 9983997494502771

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