Neonatal brain pathology predicts adverse attention and processing speed outcomes in very preterm and/or very low birth weight children

Abstract

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; < 1,500g) children, and to determine whether brain abnormality measured by neonatal MRI can be used to predict outcome in these domains. Method: A cohort of 198 children born < 30 weeks' gestational age and/or <1,250g 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 t..