Brain MRI before and at term equivalent age predicts motor and cognitive outcomes in very preterm infants
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of high-risk infants in the neonatal period (from 26 weeks postmenstrual age to Term Equivalent Age (TEA)) is increasingly being used for the detection of brain injuries, and the early prognostication of adverse outcomes such as Cerebral Palsy (CP). While most imaging is performed around TEA in clinical practice for infants born preterm (<37 weeks of gestation), this would often require families to return to hospital for imaging. In this work, we extract structural biomarkers from MRI acquired both before and at TEA in a cohort of very preterm infants from the PPREMO and PREBO studies (n = 100), to determine if either time-point, or both combined, are predictive of both Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development – Third Edition (Bayley-III) and the Neuro-sensory Motor Developmental Assessment (NSMDA) at 2 years. Using multivariable regression, moderately strong and statistically significant associations were found between brain structure on both early and TEA MRIs with 2-year outcomes (r = 0.39–0.55 for early MRI, r = 0.37–0.49 for Term MRI, r = 0.37–0.56 for early and TEA MRI combined). Importantly, brain biomarkers associated with early childhood outcomes from MRIs were identified, including white and grey matter volumes, deep grey matter and cerebellar volumes, and gyrification and surface area across the whole cortex. Early MRI showed the best prognostic accuracy along with combining timepoints, indicating the potential clinical benefit of Early MRI in predicting adverse outcomes. • We used brain structure from very preterm infants to predict 2-year outcomes. • MRI acquired before and at term equivalent age was compared in predictive accuracy. • Brain tissue volume and gyrification predict motor and cognitive outcomes. • Neuromorphometrics significantly predict motor and cognitive outcomes at 2-years.
Source: Neuroimage Reports
Institutions: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australian e-Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, James Cook University, Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Mater Research, Monash Health, Monash University, Monash Children’s Hospital
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,160
Awards: Early Detection and Early Intervention for Cerebral Palsy, G215146581, G3890706857, G4487865551, G5360836963, G5795891393, Neurodevelopment of the preterm infant, Australasian Cerebral Palsy Clinical Trials Network (AusCP-CTN): optimising interventions and effective services for children with Cerebral Palsy, Economic evaluation of strategies to increase kidney donation and transplantation, G8314615943, G869587583
OpenAlex ID: W4409593205