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Associations between regional brain volumes at term-equivalent age and development at 2 years of age in preterm children

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Abstract

Background

Altered brain volumes and associations between volumes and developmental outcomes have been reported in prematurely born children.

Objectives

To assess which regional brain volumes are different in very low birth weight (VLBW) children without neurodevelopmental impairments ([NDI] cerebral palsy, hearing loss, blindness and significantly delayed cognitive performance) compared with VLBW children with NDI, and to evaluate the association between regional brain volumes at term-equivalent age and cognitive development and neurological performance at a corrected age of 2 years.

Materials and methods

The study group consisted of a regional cohort of 164 VLBW children, divided into one group of children without NDI (n = 148) and one group of children with NDI (n = 16). Brain (MRI) was performed at term-equivalent age, from which brain volumes were manually analysed. Cognitive development was assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (BSID-II), and neurological performance with the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination at the corrected age of 2 years.

Results

The volumes of total brain tissue, cerebrum, frontal lobes, basal ganglia and thalami, and cerebellum were significantly smaller, and the volume of the ventricles significantly larger, in the children with NDI than in those without NDI. Even in children without NDI, a smaller cerebellar volume was significantly correlated with poor neurological performance at 2 years of corrected age.

Conclusion

Volumetric analysis at brain MRI can provide an additional parameter for early prediction of outcome in VLBW children.

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Acknowledgements

The PIPARI Study Group: Satu Ekblad, R.N.; Eeva Ekholm, M.D., Ph.D.; Leena Haataja, M.D., Ph.D.; Mira Huhtala, M.D.; Pentti Kero, M.D., Ph.D.; Riikka Korja, Phil.Lic.; Harry Kujari, M.D.; Helena Lapinleimu M.D., Ph.D.; Liisa Lehtonen, M.D., Ph.D.; Marika Leppänen, B.M.; Hanna Manninen, M.D.; Jaakko Matomäki, M.Sc.; Jonna Maunu, M.D.; Petriina Munck, M.A.; Pekka Niemi, Ph.D.; Pertti Palo, M.D., Ph.D.; Riitta Parkkola, M.D., Ph.D.; Jorma Piha, M.D., Ph.D.; Annika Lind, M.A.; Liisi Rautava, M.D.; Päivi Rautava, M.D., Ph.D.; Milla Reiman, M.D.; Hellevi Rikalainen, M.D.; Katriina Saarinen, Physiotherapist; Elina Savonlahti, M.D.; Matti Sillanpää, M.D., Ph.D.; Suvi Stolt, Phil.Lic.; Päivi Tuomikoski-Koiranen, R.N.; Tuula Äärimaa, M.D., Ph.D.

This study was financially supported by grants from the Academy of Finland/Research Programme on Neuroscience, Foundation for Paediatric Research/The South-Western Finnish Foundation of Neonatal Research, The Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation and The Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland

    Annika Lind & Petriina Munck

  2. Department of Psychology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland

    Annika Lind

  3. Department of Radiology and Turku PET Center, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, PO Box 52, 20521, Turku, Finland

    Riitta Parkkola

  4. Department of Pediatrics, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland

    Liisa Lehtonen, Jonna Maunu & Helena Lapinleimu

  5. Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland

    Petriina Munck

  6. Department of Pediatric Neurology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland

    Leena Haataja

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  1. Annika Lind
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Correspondence to Riitta Parkkola.

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Lind, A., Parkkola, R., Lehtonen, L. et al. Associations between regional brain volumes at term-equivalent age and development at 2 years of age in preterm children. Pediatr Radiol 41, 953–961 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-011-2071-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-011-2071-x

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