Altered brain function, structure, and developmental trajectory in children born late preterm.
- Resource Type
- Academic Journal
- Authors
- Brumbaugh, Jane E; Conrad, Amy L; Lee, Jessica K; DeVolder, Ian J; Zimmerman, M Bridget; Magnotta, Vincent A; Axelson, Eric D; Nopoulos, Peggy C
- Source
- Pediatric Research (PEDIATR RES), Aug 2016; 80(2): 197-203. (7p)
- Subject
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 0031-3998
Background: Late preterm birth (34-36 wk gestation) is a common occurrence with potential for altered brain development.Methods: 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.Results: 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.Conclusion: Late preterm birth may affect cognition, behavior, and brain structure well beyond infancy.