Summary Summary Short summary of a recent publication, written by scientific experts. Published: 24 Apr 2023

Associations of preterm birth and postnatal growth with brain maturation in school-goers

  • The effects of postnatal growth failure (PGF) on brain structure development in infants born preterm remain unknown.
  • This study compared brain microstructure and functional connectivity strength with cognitive outcomes in association with postnatal growth among school-going children (n=38) born preterm with extremely low birth weight (ELBW). Children born with ELBW with PGF had worse brain developmental outcomes in multiple regions of the brain and decreased functional connectivity strength between the superior lateral occipital cortex and the superior parietal lobules.
  • According to the authors, negative associations for brain development, including altered microstructure and functional connectivity, with preterm birth and suboptimal postnatal growth were evident in their investigation.