Article

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to evaluate white matter architecture
after preterm birth. The goals were (1) to compare white matter microstructure in
two cohorts of preterm- and term-born children; and (2) within preterm groups, to
determine if sex, gestational age, birthweight, white matter injury score from
conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or IQ was associated with DTI
measures. Method Participants (n=121; 66 females, 55 males) were aged 9 to 16
years. They comprised 58 preterm children (site 1, n=25; and site 2, n=33) born
at less than 36 weeks' gestation (mean 29.4wks; birthweight 1289g) and 63 term
children (site 1, n=40; site 2, n=23) born at more than 37 weeks' gestation. DTI
was analyzed using tract-based spatial statistics. Diffusion measures were
fractional anisotropy, axial, radial, and mean diffusivity. Results In no region
of the white matter skeleton was fractional anisotropy lower in the preterm group
at either site. Within the preterm groups, fractional anisotropy was
significantly associated with white matter injury score, but not sex, gestational
age, or birthweight.
At site 1, fractional anisotropy was associated with IQ.
Interpretation DTI contributes to understanding individual differences after
preterm birth but may not differentiate a relatively high-functioning group of
preterm children from a matched group of term-born children.
CI - (c) The Authors. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology (c) 2012 Mac Keith
Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS