Growth rate of the corpus callosum and cerebellar vermis in premature infants

• Anna M. Bobrova
• Yuliya K. Bykova
• Yulia N. Ivanets
• Irina I. Ryumina
• Elena A. Filippova
• Anna B. Sugak
• Victor V. Zubkov

Abstract

Objective: to determine the relationship between the growth dynamics of the corpus callosum and the cerebellar vermis with characteristics of early psychomotor development in premature newborns with a gestational age of 32 weeks or less.

Material and methods. Assessment of psychomotor development and ultrasound of the brain with measurements of the size of the cerebellar vermis and corpus callosum were carried out in premature newborns (n=51) born between 23 and 32 weeks of gestation. Depending on the neurological outcome, the children were divided into 2 groups with a favorable clinical outcome and without significant structural changes in the brain according to ultrasound data and with an unfavorable neurological outcome and/or with ultrasound signs of grade 2, 3 intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, periventricular venous infarction, posthemorrhagic normotensive ventriculodilation.

Results. It was found that in both groups, the length of the corpus callosum, height, and thickness of the cerebellar vermis correlated with postconceptual age and body weight at the time of the study. Significant differences in the growth rate of the length of the corpus callosum between the groups were obtained, while the absolute indicators differed significantly not only in the length but in the thickness of the corpus callosum, upon reaching an age equivalent to full term.

Conclusion. Perinatal hypoxic damage of the central nervous system, a slowdown in the growth rate of the corpus callosum in premature infants observed. The growth rate of the corpus callosum can be used as an objective indicator in assessing the early development of the central nervous system in premature infants.

Keywords: corpus callosum; newborn; premature baby; ultrasound; brain development

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