engleski

The relationship of between volumetric MRI and movement variation and adaptibility in preterm

Objective: Premature birth has been associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcomes, including motor functions. Lack of movement variations and adaptability associated with brain immaturity occur even in the absence of significant brain lesions and have been related to more subtle alterations in brain development. This study investigates the relationship between volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a cohort of preterm infants born between 24 and 32 weeks gestational age (GA) and movement variation and adaptability at 12 months corrected age (CA). Methods: Forty preterm infants underwent MRI with volumetric analysis at term-equivalent age (TEA). T-3 weighted images were used for segmentation of the brain. Infants were assessed using the Infant Motor Profile (IMP) at 12 months CA in order to evaluate variation and adaptability of movements and motor performance. Results: The volume of frontal lobes, deep gray matter and cerebellum were significantly smaller in the children with lower scores in variation and adaptability of movements. No differences were detected in other brain structures. Smaller deep gray matter (p < .02) and cerebellum (p < .04) volume were significantly associated with poorer motor performance at 12 months CA. Conclusions: There is an association between diminished frontal lobe, deep gray matter and cerebellum volume and reduced movement variation and adaptability. Our data suggest that volumetric MRI preformed at TEA can provide an additional parameter for early prediction of motor development in preterm infants.

brain volumetry, motor development, movement variation, adaptability, infant motor profile, preterm infants

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