Brain structure and neurocognitive and behavioural function in adolescents who were born very preterm

Stewart, Ann; Rifkin, Larry; Amess, PN; Kirkbride, Vincent; Townsend, J; Miller, David H.; Lewis, Shôn; Kingsley, D. P. E.; Moseley, I. F.; Föster, O; Murray, Robin M.

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(98)07130-x

Cited by 352 publications

(231 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…However, the formation of WM and myelination starts in the second half of pregnancy and oligodendrocyte differentiation occurs during the last gestational weeks of prenatal development and therefore is severely compromised in several conditions affecting fetal nutrition in this critical period. 22,23 That the last gestational weeks are critical for brain development is confirmed by human MRI studies showing that preterm-born individuals have abnormally altered brain structures, particularly the WM, [24][25][26][27][28][29] and that lower placental weight is associated with altered late-life WM integrity in older individuals. 30 Our second finding is that small birth size contributed to reduced late-life cognitive performance only in participants with lower educational achievement during early life.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Birth Size and Brain Function 75 Years Later

et al. 2014

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BACKGROUND: There are several lines of evidence pointing to fetal and other early origins of diseases of the aging brain, but there are no data directly addressing the hypotheses in an older population. We investigated the association of fetal size to late-age measures of brain structure and function in a large cohort of older men and women and explored the modifying effect of education on these associations. METHODS: Within the AGES (Age Gene/Environment Susceptibility)-Reykjavik population-based cohort (born between 1907 and 1935), archived birth records were abstracted for 1254 men and women who ∼75 years later underwent an examination that included brain MRI and extensive cognitive assessment. RESULTS: Adjustment for intracranial volume, demographic and medical history characteristics, and lower Ponderal index at birth (per kg/m3), an indicator of third-trimester fetal wasting, was significantly associated with smaller volumes of total brain and white matter; βs (95% confidence intervals) were −1.0 (−1.9 to −0.0) and −0.5 (−1.0 to −0.0) mL. Furthermore, lower Ponderal index was associated with slower processing speed and reduced executive functioning but only in those with low education (β [95% confidence interval]: −0.136 [−0.235 to −0.036] and −0.077 [−0.153 to −0.001]). CONCLUSIONS: This first study of its kind provides clinical measures suggesting that smaller birth size, as an indicator of a suboptimal intrauterine environment, is associated with late-life alterations in brain tissue volume and function. In addition, it shows that the effects of a suboptimal intrauterine environment on late-life cognitive function were present only in those with lower educational levels.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Birth Size and Brain Function 75 Years Later

et al. 2014

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“…However, most children born with a BW Ͻ2000 g are also born at a GA of Ͻ37 weeks, and several studies suggest that those born prematurely have smaller CCs than those born at term. [4][5][6][7][8] A correlation between CC thickness and intelligence (IQ) has been demonstrated in healthy adults, 9 whereas studies of very preterm-born individuals have shown that reduced CC size correlates with total IQ, 10 verbal IQ, 8 and neuropsychologic impairment. 11 These studies, however, differ in design, both with regard to inclusion criteria (based on BW versus GA) and image analysis techniques (qualitative versus quantitative studies), thereby making robust conclusions difficult.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Selectively Reduced Posterior Corpus Callosum Size in a Population-Based Sample of Young Adults Born with Low Birth Weight

Aukland

Westerhausen²,

Plessen³

et al. 2011

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol

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“…28,29 Lesions of the periventricular white matter visible by MRI are common in children who were born prematurely and PVL is also reported to be common in apparently healthy preterm children. [30][31][32][33] Few studies have been conducted on the visual functions of children with PVL in the absence of CP. It seems likely that many of these children are not identified as having PVL, as few children who do not have CP undergo CT or MRI.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Subnormal visual perception in school-aged ex-preterm patients in a paediatric eye clinic

Al¹,

Aring²,

Hellström³

2004

Eye

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Purpose The aim of this study was to assess visual perception at school age of children born preterm with known lesions to the posterior visual pathways or with ophthalmologic signs that might indicate such lesions. Methods The study group consisted of 91 patients born before the 37th gestational week. Visual perception was assessed using the TVPS-R (Test of Visual Perceptual SkillsRevised) and a structured interview. In addition, ophthalmologic and orthoptic examinations were performed. Results On the test of visual perception, 67% of the patients had results below the third percentile of the American reference group. This is to be compared with 10% of Swedish full-term controls. Scores below the third percentile were observed in 87% of the patients with known brain lesions, 48% of those with strabismus without known brain lesion, and 86% of those with reduced visual acuity in the absence of strabismus and known brain lesion. Conclusions Reduced visual perception is common among children born preterm who have strabismus and/or reduced visual acuity, as well as in those with known brain lesions. This study emphasises the need to find tools to identify and assess those patients who have visual perceptual problems that may restrict their ability to meet the demands of daily life.

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Brain structure and neurocognitive and behavioural function in adolescents who were born very preterm

Cited by 352 publications

References 14 publications

Birth Size and Brain Function 75 Years Later

Birth Size and Brain Function 75 Years Later

Selectively Reduced Posterior Corpus Callosum Size in a Population-Based Sample of Young Adults Born with Low Birth Weight

Subnormal visual perception in school-aged ex-preterm patients in a paediatric eye clinic

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