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. 2024 Mar;95(4):1070-1079.
doi: 10.1038/s41390-023-02871-0. Epub 2023 Nov 3.

Language performance and brain volumes, asymmetry, and cortical thickness in children born extremely preterm

Hedvig Kvanta  1 , Jenny Bolk  2   3   4 , Lina Broström  4 , Daniela Nosko  5 , Lexuri Fernández de Gamarra-Oca  6 , Nelly Padilla  7 , Ulrika Ådén  7
Affiliations

Language performance and brain volumes, asymmetry, and cortical thickness in children born extremely preterm

Hedvig Kvanta et al. Pediatr Res. 2024 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Children born preterm are more prone to have language difficulties. Few studies focus on children born extremely preterm (EPT) and the structural differences in language-related regions between these children and children born at term.

Methods: Our study used T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to calculate the brain volumetry, brain asymmetry, and cortical thickness of language-related regions in 50 children born EPT and 37 term-born controls at 10 years of age. The language abilities of 41 of the children born EPT and 29 term-born controls were then assessed at 12 years of age, using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition and the Clinical Evaluations of Language Fundamentals, Fourth Edition. The differences between MRI parameters and their associations with language outcomes were compared in the two groups.

Results: Brain volume and cortical thickness of language-related regions were reduced in children born EPT, but volumetric asymmetry was not different between children born EPT and at term. In children born EPT the brain volume was related to language outcomes, prior to adjustments for full-scale IQ.

Conclusions: These findings expand our understanding of the structural correlates underlying impaired language performance in children born with EPT.

Impact: The article expands understanding of the structure-function relationship between magnetic resonance imaging measurements of language-related regions and language outcomes for children born extremely preterm beyond infancy. Most literature to date has focused on very preterm children, but the focus in this paper is on extreme prematurity and language outcomes. While the brain volume and cortical thickness of language-related regions were reduced in children born EPT only the volume, prior to adjustment for full-scale IQ, was associated with language outcomes. We found no differences in volumetric asymmetry between children born EPT and at term.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Flowchart of children born EPT and term-born controls.
Summary of reasons for exclusion of children born EPT and term-born controls.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Automated anatomical labeling (AAL) atlas registered to one individual T1-weighted image.
Sagittal view of the registered AAL atlas. 2 Coronal view of the registered AAL atlas. 3. Axial view of the registered AAL atlas.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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