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

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...

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Main Authors: Mirna Kostović Srzentić, Marina Raguž, David Ozretić
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2020-04-01
Series:Pediatrics and Neonatology
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1875957219304991
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author Mirna Kostović Srzentić
Marina Raguž
David Ozretić
author_facet Mirna Kostović Srzentić
Marina Raguž
David Ozretić
author_sort Mirna Kostović Srzentić
collection DOAJ
description 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. 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). 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. 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. Key Words: cognitive deficit, MRI, perinatal lesion, premature infants, preschool age
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spelling doaj-art-5752c01ebef9404c881d2b2610bb23342025-08-20T03:26:24ZengElsevierPediatrics and Neonatology1875-95722020-04-0161216016710.1016/j.pedneo.2019.09.003Specific cognitive deficits in preschool age correlated with qualitative and quantitative MRI parameters in prematurely born childrenMirna Kostović Srzentić0Marina Raguž1David Ozretić2Department of Health Psychology, University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia; Croatian Institute for Brain Research, Center of Research Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; Corresponding author. University of Applied Health Sciences, Department of Health Psychology Mlinarska 38, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.Croatian Institute for Brain Research, Center of Research Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, CroatiaCroatian Institute for Brain Research, Center of Research Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Radiology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, CroatiaBackground: 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. 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). 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. 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. Key Words: cognitive deficit, MRI, perinatal lesion, premature infants, preschool agehttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1875957219304991
spellingShingle Mirna Kostović Srzentić
Marina Raguž
David Ozretić
Specific cognitive deficits in preschool age correlated with qualitative and quantitative MRI parameters in prematurely born children
Pediatrics and Neonatology
title Specific cognitive deficits in preschool age correlated with qualitative and quantitative MRI parameters in prematurely born children
title_full Specific cognitive deficits in preschool age correlated with qualitative and quantitative MRI parameters in prematurely born children
title_fullStr Specific cognitive deficits in preschool age correlated with qualitative and quantitative MRI parameters in prematurely born children
title_full_unstemmed Specific cognitive deficits in preschool age correlated with qualitative and quantitative MRI parameters in prematurely born children
title_short Specific cognitive deficits in preschool age correlated with qualitative and quantitative MRI parameters in prematurely born children
title_sort specific cognitive deficits in preschool age correlated with qualitative and quantitative mri parameters in prematurely born children
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1875957219304991
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