Cited by 157Neonatal and fetal brain pathologyInfant Development and Preterm CareFetal and Pediatric Neurological Disorders

Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in survivors of very low birth weight

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Abernethy, L J·2002·Archives of Disease in Childhood

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Children who survive very low birth weight (VLBW) without major disability have a high prevalence of learning difficulty, attention deficit, and dyspraxia. AIMS: To determine whether learning difficulty in children with VLBW is associated with structural brain abnormalities. METHODS: A total of 87 children (aged 15-16 years) with a history of VLBW (<1500 g) and eight age matched full term controls have been studied with detailed magnetic resonance brain scans. Volume measurements of the caudate nuclei and hippocampal formations were made. RESULTS: Scans in 42.5% of the children showed evidence of perinatal brain injury. There was no significant difference in IQ, dyspraxia, or attention deficit between children with qualitatively normal and abnormal scans. However, quantitative volumetric analysis showed that children with a low IQ had smaller volume measurements for the right caudate nucleus and left hippocampus, and a smaller hippocampal ratio (left volume:right volume) than those with normal IQ. CONCLUSION: Data suggest that learning disorder, attention deficit, and dyspraxia in children who survive VLBW do not correlate with conventional markers of perinatal brain injury, and may be related to global brain growth and the development of key structures, such as the caudate nuclei and hippocampal formations.

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Marlow N, Roberts BL, Cooke RWI. Motor skills in extremely low birth weight infants at the age of 6 years. Arch Dis Child 1989;64:1713-16.
  2. Santosh PJ. Neuroimaging in child and adolescent psychiatric disorders. Arch Dis Child 2000;82:412-19.
  3. Powls A, Botting N, Marlow N, et al. Growth impairment in VLBW children at 12-13 years. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 1997;75: F152-7.

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Authors
Abernethy, L. J.
Affiliations
Alder Hey Children's Hospital (GB)
Corresponding author
Abernethy, L J
Venue
Archives of Disease in Childhood
Publisher
BMJ
Published
2002-10-01
Volume
87
Issue
4
Pages
279-283
ISSN
  • 0003-9888 (ISSN-L)
  • 1468-2044
OpenAlex
W2117040053
Cited by
157
References
36
Citations by year
2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 9
FWCI
7.87
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Archives of Disease in Childhood (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
Funders
Medical Research Council
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Neonatal and fetal brain pathology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Infant Development and Preterm Care
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Fetal and Pediatric Neurological Disorders
Keywords
very low birth weight, perinatal brain injury, learning difficulties, attention deficits, developmental coordination disorder, caudate nucleus, hippocampus, brain volumetry, IQ
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Apraxias, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Birth Injuries, Brain, Brain Injuries, Caudate Nucleus, Follow-Up Studies, Hippocampus, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Infant, Premature, Intelligence, Learning Disabilities, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Prospective Studies, Infant, Very Low Birth Weight

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