After birth brain scans determines the risk of developmental disorders in premature infants

Cerebral hypoxia is one of the most common brain pathologies in premature infants, which damages white matter. White matter consists of fibers that connect different parts of the brain. The damaged white matter disturbs the signal transmission inside the brain and between the brain and other organs.

Preterm infants have the increased risk of developmental disorders. Timely detection of these problems will allow to start treatment as soon as possible, The Indian Express reports. For more than 7 years, Canadian researchers have studied the group of preterm infants. MRI was performed in 58 preterm infants after the birth. When the participants were 18 months, the researchers have tested their thinking and motor function and the level of speech development.

The researchers have found that the more brain damaged centers the children have, the higher the movement disorder risks are at the age of 18 months. In addition, a large amount of damages in the frontal lobe increased the probability of mental problems. The location of the damage played an important role. For example, the participants with a large amount of damages in the frontal lobe the risk of mental problems was 79 times higher, and motor disturbances - 64 times higher than those without such damages.

Source: The Indian Express.