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Neonatal Brain and Development, Intervention and Outcome
O-058 Brain Morphometry In Young Adults Born Small-for-gestational-age At Term
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  1. H Østgård1,
  2. GC Løhaugen2,
  3. AM Brubakk1,
  4. KJ Bjuland1,
  5. LM Rimol1,
  6. M Martinussen3,
  7. T Vik1,
  8. J Skranes1
  1. 1Department of Laboratory Medicine Children’s and Women’s Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
  2. 2Department of Pediatrics, Sorlandet Hospital, Arendal, Norway
  3. 3Department of Obstetrics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

Abstract

Background/aims Being born small-for-gestational-age (SGA), a proxy for fetal growth restriction (FGR) has been related to poor school performance, lower academic achievement and cognitive problems. The aim of this study was to investigate whether young adults born SGA at term had reduced brain volumes, cortical surface area and/or cortical thickness, and whether brain morphometry measures were related to cognitive functioning.

Methods In this population-based follow-up study at age 20, 58 term-born SGA (birthweight < 10 th centile, mean: 2915 g) and 81 non-SGA controls (birthweight >10 th centile, mean: 3707 g) were included. MRI-examinations at 1.5 T were obtained in 47 SGA and 61 control subjects. Image analysis was performed by the FreeSurfer, version 5.1. IQ was assessed by Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale 3rd edition (WAIS-III).

Results Total brain volume was smaller in the SGA than in the control group (-5.6%; p < 0.001). This reduction included most structures, but relative volumes were the same. Cortical surface area was significantly reduced in the SGA group compared with controls in multiple regions across the cerebral cortex, especially in the frontal, parietal and temporal lobes compared with controls (Figure). The reduction in surface area in the SGA group was most pronounced in the anterior cingulate gyri bilaterally. No associations were found between brain measures and IQ measures in either group.

Conclusions Young adults born SGA at term have a global reduction in brain volume and regional reductions in cortical surface area. This may have long term consequences for cognitive functioning.

Abstract O-058 Figure 1
Abstract O-058 Figure 1

Group differences in surface area change between SGA young adults and controls. The mapping of cortical surface area reduction in SGA young adults and controls is shown on the reconstructed cortical surface. Cortical areas with statistically significant difference between groups are shown in colour, and the colour scale shows the dynamic range of the statistically significant changes (in p-values), red to yellow reperesents an increasing expansion of the cortex in SGA group to fit the template, thus surface area reduction in these areas compared with controls. All significant clusters survived FDR correction at p < 0.05. No areas with surface area expansion (blue areas) were found in the SGA group compared with controls

https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2014-307384.126

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