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Arena R, Gallini F, De Rose DU, Conte F, Giraldi L, Pianini T, Perri A, Catenazzi P, Orfeo L, Vento G, Govaert P. Brain Growth Evaluation Assessed with Transfontanellar (B-GREAT) Ultrasound. Old and New Bedside Markers to Estimate Cerebral Growth in Preterm Infants: a Pilot Study. Am J Perinatol 2024; 41:488-497. [PMID: 34814194 DOI: 10.1055/a-1704-1716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the feasibility of evaluating overall preterm brain growth using a gathered set of measurements of brain structures in standard cranial ultrasound planes. We called this method of assessment Brain Growth Evaluation Assessed with Transfontanellar ultrasound (B-GREAT). STUDY DESIGN In this prospective observational cohort study, cranial ultrasound was regularly performed (on day 1, 2, 3, and 7 of life, and then weekly until discharge, and at term) in preterm infants born with gestational age (GA) less than 32 weeks. We evaluated corpus callosum length, corpus callosum-fastigium length, anterior horn width, frontal white matter height, total brain surface, deep grey matter height, hemisphere height, transverse cerebellar diameter in the axial view, and transverse cerebellar diameter coronal view. Measurements obtained were used to develop growth charts for B-GREAT markers as a function of postmenstrual age. Reproducibility of B-GREAT markers was studied. RESULTS A total of 528 cranial ultrasounds were performed in 80 neonates (median birth GA: 28+5 weeks and interquartile range: 27+3-30+5). The intraclass correlation coefficients for intra-observer and inter-observer analyses showed substantial agreement for all B-GREAT markers. Growth curves for B-GREAT markers were developed. CONCLUSION B-GREAT is a feasible and reproducible method for bedside monitoring of the growth of the main brain structures in preterm neonates. KEY POINTS · Overall neonatal brain growth is not routinely monitored using ultrasound.. · Old and new markers were used to build a standardized and non-invasive tool to monitor brain growth.. · All B-GREAT measurements had a good intra-observer and inter-observer agreement..
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Arena
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, "San Giovanni Calibita Fatebenefratelli" Hospital, Isola Tiberina, Rome, Italy
- Neonatology Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Gallini
- Neonatology Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Umberto De Rose
- Neonatology Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Medical and Surgical Department of Fetus, Newborn and Infant, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Conte
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, "San Giovanni Calibita Fatebenefratelli" Hospital, Isola Tiberina, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Giraldi
- Section of Hygiene, Institute of Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Teresa Pianini
- Neonatology Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Perri
- Neonatology Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Piero Catenazzi
- Neonatology Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Orfeo
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, "San Giovanni Calibita Fatebenefratelli" Hospital, Isola Tiberina, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Vento
- Neonatology Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Paul Govaert
- Division of Neonatology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Cuzzilla R, Cowan FM, Rogerson S, Anderson PJ, Doyle LW, Cheong JLY, Spittle A. Relationships between early postnatal cranial ultrasonography linear measures and neurodevelopment at 2 years in infants born at <30 weeks' gestational age without major brain injury. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2023; 108:511-516. [PMID: 36958812 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2022-324660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore relationships of early postnatal cranial ultrasonography (cUS) linear measures of brain size and brain growth with neurodevelopment at 2 years in infants born <30 weeks' gestational age (GA) and free of major brain injury. DESIGN Prospective observational cohort study. SETTING Tertiary neonatal intensive care unit. PATIENTS 139 infants born <30 weeks' GA, free of major brain injury on neonatal cUS and without congenital or chromosomal anomalies known to affect neurodevelopment. INTERVENTION Linear measures of brain tissue and fluid spaces made from cUS at 1-week, 1-month and 2-months' postnatal age. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Cognitive, language and motor scores on the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, third edition at 2 years' corrected age. RESULTS 313 scans were evaluated from the 131 children who were assessed at 2 years. Larger measures of the corpus callosum at 1 week, 1 month and 2 months, cerebellum and vermis at 2 months and faster positive growth of the cerebellum and vermis between 1 month and 2 months, were related to higher cognitive and language scores at 2 years. No relation between tissue measures and motor scores was found. Larger measures, and faster rate of increase, of fluid spaces within the first weeks after birth were related to better cognitive, language and motor outcomes at 2 years. CONCLUSIONS Early postnatal cUS linear measures of brain tissue were related to cognitive and language development at 2 years in infants born <30 weeks' GA without major brain injury. Relationships between cUS linear measures of fluid spaces in the early postnatal period and later neurodevelopment warrant further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Cuzzilla
- Neonatal Services, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Sheryle Rogerson
- Neonatal Services, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter J Anderson
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lex W Doyle
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jeanie Ling Yoong Cheong
- Neonatal Services, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alicia Spittle
- Neonatal Services, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Physiotherapy, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Warmerdam LA, van Wezel-Meijler G, de Vries LS, Groenendaal F, Steggerda SJ. The Association of Dexamethasone and Hydrocortisone with Cerebellar Growth in Premature Infants. Neonatology 2023; 120:615-623. [PMID: 37379806 DOI: 10.1159/000531075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Corticosteroids are used to prevent or treat lung disease of prematurity. While neurological side effects have been reported, detailed effects on cerebellar growth are unknown. This study aimed to compare cerebellar growth in premature infants who received dexamethasone or hydrocortisone to premature infants who did not receive postnatal corticosteroids. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective case-control study in infants born at a gestational age of <29 weeks and admitted to two level 3 neonatal intensive care units. Exclusion criteria were severe congenital anomalies and cerebellar or severe supratentorial lesions. Infants were treated with dexamethasone (unit 1) or hydrocortisone (unit 2) for chronic lung disease. Controls (unit 1) did not receive postnatal corticosteroids. Sequential head circumference (HC) and ultrasound measurements of transcerebellar diameter (TCD), biparietal diameter (BPD), and corpus callosum-fastigium length (CCFL) were performed until 40 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA). Growth was assessed using linear mixed models correcting for PMA at measurement, sex, HC z-score at birth, and a propensity score indicating illness severity. Group differences before treatment were assessed using linear regression. RESULTS 346 infants were included (68 dexamethasone, 37 hydrocortisone, 241 controls). Before starting corticosteroids, TCD, BPD, and HC measurements did not differ between patients and controls at a comparable PMA. After starting treatment, both types of corticosteroid had a negative association with TCD growth. BPD, CCFL, and HC growth were not negatively affected. CONCLUSION Administration of dexamethasone and hydrocortisone are both associated with impaired cerebellar growth in premature infants without evident negative associations with cerebral growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Warmerdam
- Department of Neonatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Linda S de Vries
- Department of Neonatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Floris Groenendaal
- Department of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, and Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht and Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sylke J Steggerda
- Department of Neonatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Stein A, Sody E, Bruns N, Felderhoff-Müser U. Development of an Ultrasound Scoring System to Describe Brain Maturation in Preterm Infants. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2023:ajnr.A7909. [PMID: 37321856 PMCID: PMC10337624 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a7909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Cerebral maturation in preterm infants predominantly occurs postnatally, necessitating the development of objective bedside markers to monitor this process. This study aimed to develop a straightforward objective Ultrasound Score of Brain Development to assess cortical development in preterm infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 344 serial ultrasound examinations from 94 preterm infants born at ≤ 32 weeks of gestation were analyzed to identify brain structures suitable for a scoring system. RESULTS Among 11 candidate structures, 3 cerebral landmarks were selected due to their correlation with gestational age: the interopercular opening (P < .001), the height of the insular cortex (P < .001), and the depth of the cingulate sulcus (P < .001). These structures can be easily visualized in a single midcoronal view in the plane through the third ventricle and the foramina of Monro. A score point from 0 to 2 was assigned to each measurement, culminating in a total score ranging from 0 to 6. The Ultrasound Score of Brain Development correlated significantly with gestational age (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS The proposed Ultrasound Score of Brain Development has the potential for application as an objective indicator of brain maturation in correlation with gestational age, circumventing the need to rely on individual growth trajectories and percentiles for each specific structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Stein
- From the Department of Pediatrics I, Neonatology, University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - E Sody
- From the Department of Pediatrics I, Neonatology, University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - N Bruns
- From the Department of Pediatrics I, Neonatology, University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - U Felderhoff-Müser
- From the Department of Pediatrics I, Neonatology, University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
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Beunders VAA, Roelants JA, Suurland J, Dudink J, Govaert P, Swarte RMC, Kouwenberg-Raets MMA, Reiss IKM, Joosten KFM, Vermeulen MJ. Early Ultrasonic Monitoring of Brain Growth and Later Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Very Preterm Infants. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2022; 43:639-644. [PMID: 35332022 PMCID: PMC8993199 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a7456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In infants born very preterm, monitoring of early brain growth could contribute to prediction of later neurodevelopment. Therefore, our aim was to investigate associations between 2 early cranial ultrasound markers (corpus callosum-fastigium and corpus callosum length) and neurodevelopmental outcome and the added value of both markers in the prediction of neurodevelopmental outcome based on neonatal risk factors and head circumference in very preterm infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective observational study included 225 infants born at <30 weeks' gestational age, of whom 153 were without any brain injury on cranial ultrasound. Corpus callosum-fastigium and corpus callosum length and head circumference were measured at birth, 29 weeks' gestational age, transfer from the neonatal intensive care unit to a level II hospital, and 2 months' corrected age. We analyzed associations of brain markers and their growth with cognitive, motor, language, and behavioral outcome at 2 years' corrected age. RESULTS In infants without brain injury, greater corpus callosum-fastigium length at 2 months was associated with better cognitive outcome. Corpus callosum length at 2 months was positively associated with cognitive, motor, and language outcome. Faster growth of the corpus callosum length between birth and 2 months was associated with better cognitive and motor function. Prediction of neurodevelopmental outcome based on neonatal risk factors with or without head circumference was significantly improved by adding corpus callosum length. CONCLUSIONS Both corpus callosum-fastigium and corpus callosum length on cranial ultrasound are associated with neurodevelopmental outcome of very preterm infants without brain injury at 2 years, but only corpus callosum length shows the added clinical utility in predicting neurodevelopmental outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- V A A Beunders
- From the Department of Pediatrics (V.A.A.B., J.A.R., P.G., R.M.C.S., I.K.M.R., M.J.V.)
| | - J A Roelants
- From the Department of Pediatrics (V.A.A.B., J.A.R., P.G., R.M.C.S., I.K.M.R., M.J.V.)
| | - J Suurland
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology (J.S.)
| | - J Dudink
- Department of Neonatology (J.D.), Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Brain Center (J.D.), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - P Govaert
- From the Department of Pediatrics (V.A.A.B., J.A.R., P.G., R.M.C.S., I.K.M.R., M.J.V.)
| | - R M C Swarte
- From the Department of Pediatrics (V.A.A.B., J.A.R., P.G., R.M.C.S., I.K.M.R., M.J.V.)
| | - M M A Kouwenberg-Raets
- Department of Pediatrics (M.M.A.K-.R.), Division of Neonatology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - I K M Reiss
- From the Department of Pediatrics (V.A.A.B., J.A.R., P.G., R.M.C.S., I.K.M.R., M.J.V.)
| | - K F M Joosten
- Department of Pediatrics (K.F.M.J.), Intensive Care Unit, Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M J Vermeulen
- From the Department of Pediatrics (V.A.A.B., J.A.R., P.G., R.M.C.S., I.K.M.R., M.J.V.)
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Cuzzilla R, Olsen JE, Eeles AL, Rogerson SR, Anderson PJ, Cowan FM, Doyle LW, Cheong JLY, Spittle AJ. Relationships between early postnatal cranial ultrasonography linear measures and neurobehaviour at term-equivalent age in infants born <30 weeks' gestational age. Early Hum Dev 2022; 164:105520. [PMID: 34896733 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2021.105520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between early postnatal brain development and neurobehaviour at term-equivalent age (TEA) remains uncertain. AIM We aimed to explore relationships between early postnatal cranial ultrasonography (cUS) linear measures of brain size and brain growth with neurobehaviour at TEA in infants born <30 weeks' gestational age (GA). STUDY DESIGN Prospective observational cohort study. SUBJECTS 137 infants born <30 weeks' GA without major brain injury on neonatal cUS. OUTCOME MEASURES Neurobehaviour at TEA assessed using the General Movements Assessment (GMA) and Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (HNNE). RESULTS The GMA was administered in 115/137 (84%) infants; 80 (70%) presented with abnormal general movements (GMs) (79 poor repertoire, 1 cramped synchronised). The HNNE was assessed in 106/137 (77%) infants; 52 (49%) had a suboptimal total score. With respect to brain size, larger measures of the corpus callosum length (CCL) and right anterior horn width (AHW) at 1-month were related to lower risk of abnormal GMs, and larger measures of the biparietal diameter at 1-week and 2-months were related to lower risk of a suboptimal HNNE. As for brain growth, increases of the CCL and transcerebellar diameter between birth and 1-month, and left and right AHWs between 1- and 2-months, were related to lower risk of abnormal GMs. CONCLUSION Early postnatal brain size and brain growth were related to neurobehaviour at TEA in infants born <30 weeks' GA. This study provides preliminary evidence for the prognostic utility of early postnatal cUS linear measures as potential markers of neurodevelopment in later childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Cuzzilla
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Neonatal Services, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Joy E Olsen
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Neonatal Services, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Abbey L Eeles
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Physiotherapy, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Peter J Anderson
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Frances M Cowan
- Department of Paediatrics, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lex W Doyle
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Neonatal Services, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jeanie L Y Cheong
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Neonatal Services, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alicia J Spittle
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Physiotherapy, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Neonatal Services, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
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Inder TE, de Vries LS, Ferriero DM, Grant PE, Ment LR, Miller SP, Volpe JJ. Neuroimaging of the Preterm Brain: Review and Recommendations. J Pediatr 2021; 237:276-287.e4. [PMID: 34146549 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Terrie E Inder
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
| | - Linda S de Vries
- Department of Neonatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neonatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Donna M Ferriero
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; Weill Institute of Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - P Ellen Grant
- Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Laura R Ment
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Steven P Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joseph J Volpe
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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Boswinkel V, Sok FI, Krüse-Ruijter MF, Nijholt IM, Jansen FAR, Haak MC, Boomsma MF, de Vries LS, Steggerda SJ, van Wezel-Meijler G. Ultrasound measurements of brain structures differ between moderate-late preterm and full-term infants at term equivalent age. Early Hum Dev 2021; 160:105424. [PMID: 34303106 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2021.105424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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 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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Huang HC, Chou HC, Tsao PN, Chen CY. Linear growth of corpus callosum and cerebellar vermis in very-low-birth-weight preterm infants. J Formos Med Assoc 2020; 119:1292-1298. [PMID: 32331809 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2020.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Impaired growth of the corpus callosum (CC) and cerebellar vermis (CV) is associated with poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants. However, references on the postnatal growth rate of the CC and CV by sonography are limited. The aim of this study is to assess the normal linear growth of CC and CV using a serial cranial ultrasound. METHODS We prospectively enrolled preterm infants with very low birth weight from September 2008 to December 2009 after excluding those with congenital anomalies or diseases affecting the brain parenchyma. Serial sonographic measurements of the CC and CV were performed according to the standard protocol. Scheduled comprehensive neurodevelopmental evaluations were performed till the corrected age of 2 years. We excluded those with significant brain damages or poor neurodevelopmental outcomes in the final analysis. The growth rate was estimated using the loess smoothing curve and linear regression analysis. RESULTS Among the 86 enrolled neonates, 14 with significant brain damage and 8 with poor neurodevelopmental outcomes were excluded from the final analysis. The growth rate of the CC length was 1.72 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24-2.20) and 0.57 (95% CI: 0.33-0.80) mm per week before and after the postmenstrual age of 30.5 weeks, respectively. The growth rate of the CV length was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.68-0.89) mm per week. CONCLUSION We proposed reference values of the normal linear growth rate of the CC and CV lengths in very-low-birth-weight preterm infants using the serial cranial ultrasound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Chung Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Taipei City Hospital, Heping FuYou Branch, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chieh Chou
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Nien Tsao
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Research Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Yi Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
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