Ultrasound measurements of brain structures differ between moderate-late preterm and full-term infants at term equivalent age
Boswinkel, Vivian; Sok, Femke I.; Krüse-Ruijter, Martine F.; Nijholt, Ingrid M.; Jansen, Fenna A.R.; Haak, Monique C.; Boomsma, Martijn F.; de Vries, Linda S.; Steggerda, Sylke J.; van Wezel-Meijler, Gerda
(2021) Early Human Development, volume 160, pp. 1 - 8
(Article)
Abstract
Background: Brain growth in moderate preterm (MP; gestational age (GA) 32+0–33+6 weeks) and late preterm infants (LP; GA 34+0–36+6 weeks) may be impaired, even in the absence of brain injury. Aims: The aims of this study were to assess brain measurements of MP and LP infants, and to compare these
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with full-term infants (GA > 37 weeks) using linear cranial ultrasound (cUS) at term equivalent age (TEA). Study design: cUS data from two prospective cohorts were combined. Two investigators performed offline measurements on standard cUS planes. Eleven brain structures were compared between MP, LP and full-term infants using uni- and multivariable linear regression. Results were adjusted for postmenstrual age at cUS and corrected for multiple testing. Results: Brain measurements of 44 MP, 54 LP and 52 full-term infants were determined on cUS scans at TEA. Biparietal diameter and basal ganglia-insula width were smaller in MP (−9.1 mm and − 1.7 mm, p < 0.001) and LP infants (−7.0 mm and − 1.7 mm, p < 0.001) compared to full-term infants. Corpus callosum – fastigium length was larger in MP (+2.2 mm, p < 0.001) than in full-term infants. No significant differences were found between MP and LP infants. Conclusions: These findings suggest that brain growth in MP and LP infants differs from full-term infants. Whether these differences have clinical implications remains to be investigated.
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Keywords: Brain measurements, Cerebral development, Cranial ultrasound, Moderate-late preterm infants, Reference values, Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology
ISSN: 0378-3782
Publisher: Elsevier Ireland Ltd
Note: Funding Information: The BIMP study (acronym for ‘Brain Imaging in Moderate to late Preterm infants’) was supported by the Isala Science and Innovation Fund (Isala Hospital, Zwolle, the Netherlands), the Dr. C.J. Vaillant Fund (Landelijke Vereniging van Crematoria, Almere, the Netherlands), and Nutricia Specialized Nutrition (Nutricia Nederland BV, Zoetermeer, the Netherlands). Aloka-Hitachi provided a Prosound Alpha 7 Premier system for the cranial ultrasound examinations. The sponsors had no role in the design and conduct of the study, collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data, or in the preparation, review, approval of the manuscript, or decision to submit the manuscript for publication. Publisher Copyright: © 2021
(Peer reviewed)