Work

Foetal growth restriction is associated with structural changes in the frontal lobe in very low birthweight premature infants

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: AIMS: To analyze the development of the frontal cortical and subcortical areas in children with a history of prematurity and very low birthweight, and to evaluate its relationship with foetal growth restriction (FGR) and birthweight. METHODS: This cohort study was carried out in two stages: retrospectively, considering very low weight newborns born at our hospital between January 2008 and December 2016; and prospectively, performing a structural brain analysis using magnetic resonance imaging and a cognitive performance study using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V). RESULTS: The study population consisted of 48 children with an average age of 110.7 months (95 % CI 102.6-118.8) with a history of prematurity and a birthweight of less than 1500g. Of these children, nine had suffered FGR. FGR is associated with a significantly smaller medial orbitofrontal cortex and a significantly larger anterior cingulate cortex. The surface area of the medial orbitofrontal cortex of both hemispheres is significantly associated with the scores obtained in the WISC-V test for verbal comprehension and visual-spatial index. CONCLUSIONS: FGR and birthweight are both related to structural alterations in the frontal lobe. The surface area of the orbitofrontal cortex is strongly influenced by the weight at birth.

Source: Pediatrics & Neonatology

DOI: 10.1016/j.pedneo.2025.08.012