The Association between Ventricle Ratio in Preterm Infants and Motor Developmental Delay
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Early prediction and timely intervention are particularly essential for high-risk preterm infants. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (BMRI) is frequently used alongside functional evaluations to improve predictions of developmental outcomes. This study aimed to assess voxel-based brain volumetry in extremely preterm infants using BMRI at term equivalent age (TEA) and investigate its association with developmental outcomes. METHODS: From March 2016 to December 2019, high-risk preterm infants (birth weight <1,500 g or gestational age <32 weeks) with BMRI at TEA and follow-up developmental data assessed by Bayley-III were included. For BMRI volumetry, manual tracing and segmentation were performed on T1-weighted scans, and after smoothing, voxels were calculated for each brain segment. Forty-seven subjects were enrolled and categorized into typical/delayed motor groups. RESULTS: Results revealed a significant difference in ventricle size and ventricle ratio in BMRI at TEA between the groups. Even after controlling for other factors that could influence developmental outcomes, ventricle ratio emerged as a robust, single predictor for future motor development. CONCLUSION: This study suggests the potential clinical utility of BMRI volumetry in predicting motor development outcomes.
Source: Developmental Neuroscience
DOI: 10.1159/000540754
Institutions: Chung-Ang University Hospital, Chung-Ang University
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4402121396