Assessment of structural connectivity in the preterm brain at term equivalent age using diffusion MRI and T-2 relaxometry: a network-based analysis

Preterm birth is associated with a high prevalence of adverse neurodevelopmental outcome. Non- invasive techniques which can probe the neural correlates underpinning these deficits are required. This can be achieved by measuring the structural network of connections within the preterm infant's brain using diffusion MRI and tractography. We used diffusion MRI and T-2 relaxometry to identify connections with altered white matter properties in preterm infants compared to term infants. Diffusion and T-2 data were obtained from 9 term neonates and 18 preterm- born infants (bor

Subjective Visual Vertical and Postural Capability in Children Born Prematurely

International audiencePurpose: We compared postural stability and subjective visual vertical performance in a group of very preterm-born children aged 3-4 years and in a group of age-matched full-term children.Materials and Methods: A platform (from TechnoConcept) was used to measure postural control in children. Perception of subjective visual vertical was also recorded with posture while the child had to adjust the vertical in the dark or with visual perturbation. Two other conditions (control conditions) were also recorded while the child was on the platform: for a fixation of the vertical bar, and in eyes closed condition.Results: Postural performance was poor in preterm-born children compared to that of age-matched full-term children: the surface area, the length in medio-lateral direction and the mean speed of the center of pressure (CoP) were significantly larger in the preterm-born children group (p < 0.04, p < 0.01, and p < 0.04, respectively). Dual task in both groups of children significantly affected postural control. The subjective visual vertical (SVV) values were more variable and less precise in preterm-born children.Discussion-Conclusions: We suggest that poor postural control as well as perception of verticality observed in preterm-born children could be due to immaturity of the cortical processes involved in the motor control and in the treatment of perception and orientation of verticalit