Neonate hippocampal volumes: Prematurity, perinatal predictors, and 2-year outcome

Abstract

Objective: To compare preterm (PT) and full-term (FT) infant hippocampal volumes and to investigate the relations among PT hippocampal volume, perinatal risk factors, and neurodevelopmental outcome. Methods: A total of 184 PT and 32 full-term infants underwent magnetic resonance imaging at term equivalent age with manual segmentation of the hippocampi on coronal slices. Perinatal data were collected and 2-year neurodevelopment was evaluated with the Mental Development Index and Psychomotor Development Index on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. Results: PT and FT infant hippocampi did not significantly differ after controlling for head size, and percentage reductions in PT hippocampi (..