Effects of gestational age and birth weight on brain volumes in healthy 9 year-old children.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of gestational age and birth weight on brain volumes in a population-based sample of normal developing children at the age of 9 years.


METHODS
A total of 192 children from twin births were included in the analyses. Data on gestational age and birth weight were reported shortly after birth. Total brain, cerebellum, cerebrum, gray and white matter, and lateral ventricle volumes were assessed with structural magnetic resonance imaging. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III was administered to assess general cognitive abilities. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the effects of gestational age and birth weight on brain volumes.


RESULTS
Shorter gestational age was associated with a relatively smaller cerebellar volume (P = .002). This effect was independent of IQ scores. Lower birth weight was associated with lower IQ score (P = .03). Birth weight was not associated with brain volumes.


CONCLUSIONS
The effect of gestational age on cerebellar volume is not limited to children with very premature birth or very low birth weight, but is also present in children born >32 weeks of gestation and with birth weight >1500 g.
Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Electronic address: ilc.van.soelen@psy.vu.nl.
Inge L C
ILC
van Soelen
Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Rachel M
RM
Brouwer
Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Jiska S
JS
Peper
Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Toos C E M
TCEM
van Beijsterveldt
Department of Psychosocial Research and Epidemiology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Marieke
M
van Leeuwen
Department of Neonatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Linda S
LS
de Vries
Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
René S
RS
Kahn
Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Hilleke E
HE
Hulshoff Pol
Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Dorret I
DI
Boomsma
D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000254:growth & development; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D047929:Term Birth