Specific cognitive deficits in preschool age correlated with qualitative and quantitative MRI parameters in prematurely born children

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Mirna Kostović Srzentić
• Author: Marina Raguž
• Author: David Ozretić
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Croatian Institiute for Brain Research)
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Radiology)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences; Radiology
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences; Neurology

Abstract (english)

Background: Cognitive deficits after perinatal brain lesion in preterm infants are among the most common neurodevelopmental disturbances. The relationship between structural changes on at term magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cognitive deficits in the preschool age should be a special focus due to timely intervention. The aim of this study was to correlate qualitative and quantitative MRI parameters of perinatal brain lesion in preterm children, on early neonatal MRI and follow up MRI, with general and specific cognitive functions in the preschool age.
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Methods: Twenty-one preterm infants with verified perinatal lesions based on clinical and ultrasound data underwent a brain MRI at term-equivalent age and a second MRI between 3 and 5 years of age. Qualitative and quantitative MRI analyses were done. All subjects underwent cognitive assessment (3-5 years) using Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-III) and Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment (NEPSY-II).
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Results: Results show that many structural changes on at term MRI and on follow up MRI in preterm born children moderately correlate with specific cognitive deficits in preschool age. At term equivalent MRI, white matter changes and cortical thickness correlate to general and specific cognitive functions in infants born preterm. By analyzing follow up MRI at preschool age, structural changes of different white matter segments, corpus callosum, cortical thickness and lobe volume correlate to some specific cognitive functions.
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Conclusion: Besides general cognitive delay, specific cognitive deficits in preterm children should be targeted in research and intervention, optimally combined with MRI scanning, providing timely and early intervention of cognitive deficits after perinatal brain lesion. Our results, as well as previously published results, suggest the importance of detailed preschool neuropsychological assessment, prior to enrolment in the school system. Although preliminary, our results expand our understanding of the relationship between early brain developmental lesions and cognitive outcome following premature birth.

• Keywords (english): Brain / diagnostic imaging; Brain / pathology; Child, Preschool; Cognition; Cognition Disorders / etiology; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods; Male; Premature Birth
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Pediatrics & Neonatology
• Numbering: vol. 61, no. 2, pp. 160-167
• p-ISSN: 1875-9572
• e-ISSN: 2212-1692
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedneo.2019.09.003
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:924763
• Publication: 2020-04
• Document URL: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1875957219304991
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2021-03-03 11:12:42