The relationship between interhemispheric synchrony, morphine and microstructural development of the corpus callosum in extremely preterm infants

Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Authors. Human Brain Mapping published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.The primary aim of this study is to examine whether bursting interhemispheric synchrony (bIHS) in the first week of life of infants born extremely preterm, is associated with microstructural development of the corpus callosum (CC) on term equivalent age magnetic resonance imaging scans. The secondary aim is to address the effects of analgesics such as morphine, on bIHS in extremely preterm infants. A total of 25 extremely preterm infants (gestational age [GA] .5). ASI was positively associated with the administration of morphine (p <.05). Early cortical synchrony may be affected by morphine and is not associated with the microstructural development of the CC. More studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of neonatal morphine treatment to optimize sedation in this high-risk population.Peer reviewe