Volumetric MRI and MRS and early motor development of infants born preterm.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in infants born less than 30 weeks gestation and early motor development at 6 months adjusted age.


METHODS
Twenty infants born preterm and 4 born at term (control) underwent MRI with volumetric analysis and MRS prior to neonatal intensive care unit discharge. Infants were assessed using the Bayley Scale of Infant Development at 6 months adjusted age.


RESULTS
At 6 months, infants born preterm with low motor scores had a reduction in their subcortical gray matter. No differences were detected in other brain structures. N-acetylaspartate/choline correlated with white matter (R = 0.45, P = .03), gray matter (R = 0.43, P = .04), and cerebellar volume (R = 0.6, P = .002) but not with 6-month motor performance.


CONCLUSIONS
There is an association between diminished subcortical gray matter volume and low motor scores. Our data suggest that volumetric MRI performed prior to hospital discharge may have some role in counseling parents about potential motor delays.
Department of Pediatrics, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, Delaware, USA.
Erlita
E
Gadin
Michele
M
Lobo
David A
DA
Paul
Kanik
K
Sem
Karl V
KV
Steiner
Amy
A
Mackley
Kert
K
Anzilotti
Cole
C
Galloway
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000254:growth & development; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013223:Statistics as Topic