Ultrasound measurements of brain structures differ between moderate-late preterm and full-term infants at term equivalent age

Boswinkel, V.; Sok, F.I.; Kruse-Ruijter, M.F.; Nijholt, I.M.; Jansen, F.A.R.; Haak, M.C.; Boomsma, M.F.; Vries, L.S. de; Steggerda, S.J.; Wezel-Meijler, G. van

doi:doi:10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2021.105424

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 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...Show moreBackground: 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 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.Show less

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Ultrasound measurements of brain structures differ between moderate-late preterm and full-term infants at term equivalent age