Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5719034 | The Journal of Pediatrics | 2017 | 9 Pages |
ObjectiveTo determine the relationship between brain abnormalities on newborn magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurodevelopmental impairment at 7 years of age in very preterm children.Study designA total of 223 very preterm infants (<30 weeks of gestation or <1250âg) born at Melbourne's Royal Women's Hospital had a brain MRI scan at term equivalent age. Scans were scored using a standardized system that assessed structural abnormality of cerebral white matter, cortical gray matter, deep gray matter, and cerebellum. Children were assessed at 7 years on measures of general intelligence, motor functioning, academic achievement, and behavior.ResultsOne hundred eighty-six very preterm children (83%) had both an MRI at term equivalent age and a 7-year follow-up assessment. Higher global brain, cerebral white matter, and deep gray matter abnormality scores were related to poorer intelligence quotient (IQ) (Psâ<â.01), spelling (Psâ<â.05), math computation (Psâ<â.01), and motor function (Psâ<â.001). Higher cerebellum abnormality scores were related to poorer IQ (Pâ=â.001), math computation (Pâ=â.018), and motor outcomes (Pâ=â.001). Perinatal, neonatal, and social confounders had little effect on the relationships between the MRI abnormality scores and outcomes. Moderate-severe global abnormality on newborn MRI was associated with a reduction in IQ (â6.9 points), math computation (â7.1 points), and motor (â1.9 points) scores independent of the other potential confounders.ConclusionsStructured evaluation of brain MRI at term equivalent is predictive of outcome at 7 years of age, independent of clinical and social factors.