An analysis of MRI derived cortical complexity in premature-born adults: Regional patterns, risk factors, and potential significance

Highlights

  • MRI-derived Cortical Complexity is reduced in adults after premature birth.
  • Bilateral lateral temporal and medial parietal cortices are affected.
  • Cortical aberrations correlate with gestational age and birth weight.
  • Medial parietal cortical complexity correlates with full-scale IQ in adulthood.
  • Cortical complexity mediates cognitive development from infancy to adulthood.

Neuropsychological Outcomes at 19 Years of Age Following Extremely Preterm Birth

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Children born extremely preterm (EP) (<26 weeks’ gestation) have lower cognitive scores and an increased rate of cognitive impairment compared with their term-born peers. However, the neuropsychological presentation of these EP individuals in adulthood has not been described. The aim of this study was to examine neuropsychological outcomes in early adulthood after EP birth in the 1995 EPICure cohort and to investigate if the rate of intellectual impairment changed longitudinally.

Sequelae of Premature Birth in Young Adults

Background and Purpose

Qualitative studies about the abnormalities appreciated on routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences in prematurely born adults are lacking. This article aimed at filling this knowledge gap by (1) qualitatively describing routine imaging findings in prematurely born adults, (2) evaluating measures for routine image interpretation and (3) investigating the impact of perinatal variables related to premature birth.

Parental use of ‘cry it out’ in infants: no adverse effects on attachment and behavioural development at 18 months

Background

Leaving infant to cry it out has been the subject of discussion among researchers and parents. Nevertheless, there is paucity of empirical research investigating the association between leaving infant to cry it out and consequent crying duration and frequency, mother–infant attachment and behavioural development.

EFCNI awards four parent organisations for outstanding work

In 2008 parent representatives from 18 countries came together to lay the foundation of for our work today. They composed the “Declaration of Rome”, ten demands for preterm infants and their families, which was later handed over to politicians of the European Parliament. Ever since EFCNI has held annual meetings for representatives of parent organisations to share ideas, exchange experiences, and receive training and education with the common goal to improve the situation of maternal and newborn health and in particular of preterm birth around the world. What started off as a small meeting has meanwhile become a summit with parent organisations, experts and partners from all over the world. At the Parent Organisation Summit (POS) the Parent Advisory Board comes together to discuss the milestones of the upcoming year.