Neonatal brain pathology predicts adverse attention and processing speed outcomes in very preterm and/or very low birth weight children.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to examine attention and processing speed outcomes in very preterm (VPT; < 32 weeks' gestational age) or very low birth weight (VLBW; < 1,500 g) children, and to determine whether brain abnormality measured by neonatal MRI can be used to predict outcome in these domains.


METHODS
A cohort of 198 children born < 30 weeks' gestational age and/or < 1,250 g and 70 term controls were examined. Neonatal MRI scans at term equivalent age were quantitatively assessed for white matter, cortical gray matter, deep gray matter, and cerebellar abnormalities. Attention and processing speed were assessed at 7 years using standardized neuropsychological tests. Group differences were tested in attention and processing speed, and the relationships between these cognitive domains and brain abnormalities at birth were investigated.


RESULTS
At 7 years of age, the VPT/VLBW group performed significantly poorer than term controls on all attention and processing speed outcomes. Associations between adverse attention and processing speed performances at 7 years and higher neonatal brain abnormality scores were found; in particular, white matter and deep gray matter abnormalities were reasonable predictors of long-term cognitive outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Attention and processing speed are significant areas of concern in VPT/VLBW children. This is the first study to show that adverse attention and processing speed outcomes at 7 years are associated with neonatal brain pathology.
Victorian Infant Brain Studies.
Andrea L
AL
Murray
Victorian Infant Brain Studies.
Shannon E
SE
Scratch
Victorian Infant Brain Studies.
Deanne K
DK
Thompson
Victorian Infant Brain Studies.
Terrie E
TE
Inder
Victorian Infant Brain Studies.
Lex W
LW
Doyle
Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne.
Jacqueline F I
JF
Anderson
Victorian Infant Brain Studies.
Peter J
PJ
Anderson
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*