190 Young Adults Born Small for Gestational Age (SGA) at Term Demonstrate White Matter Damage on Brain Dti

• Published in: Pediatric research Vol. 68; no. Suppl 1; p. 99
• Main Authors: Eikenes, L, Løhaugen, G C, Skranes, J, Brubakk, A -M, Håberg, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Nature Publishing Group US 01.11.2010
• Subjects: Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Pediatric Surgery; Pediatrics; poster-presentation
• ISSN: 0031-3998; 1530-0447
• DOI: 10.1203/00006450-201011001-00190

Background and aims: SGA infants born at term have an increased risk of abnormal neurodevelopment with cognitive and learning disabilities. The aim of this study was to investigate whether being born term SGA leads to white matter damage that persists into early adulthood, and to examine the relationship between white matter integrity and perinatal data and IQ. Methods: Forty-six SGA subjects and 59 controls with normal birth weight born at term were scanned at 1.5 T with DTI at ages 18-22. Voxelwise maps of fractional anisotropy (FA) were calculated. Tract-Based Spatial Statistics was carried out to test for voxelwise differences between groups. IQ was assessed with WAIS-III. The relationship between FA and perinatal data and total IQ, respectively were explored. Results: In the SGA group reduced FA was found compared to the control group in the inferior long and short association tracts and in the external and internal capsule. Positive correlations were found between FA and birth weight and head circumference, and negative correlations were found between FA and duration of breast feeding (3 and 6 months) and IQ in the SGA group. Conclusions: The reduced FA demonstrates that being born SGA results in long term white matter damage and compromised connectivity that might explain the abnormal neurodevelopmental deficits seen in SGA subjects. Low birth weight and reduced head circumference were associated with aberrant white matter connectivity in early adulthood, indicating that these are the most important factors determining the outcome of an SGA child.