Early brain abnormalities in infants born very preterm predict under-reactive temperament

Leanne Tamm, Meera Patel, James Peugh, Beth M Kline-Fath, Nehal A Parikh, Cincinnati Infant Neurodevelopment Early Prediction Study (CINEPS) Group, Leanne Tamm, Meera Patel, James Peugh, Beth M Kline-Fath, Nehal A Parikh, Cincinnati Infant Neurodevelopment Early Prediction Study (CINEPS) Group

Abstract

Background: Early temperament may mediate the association between brain abnormalities following preterm birth and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Aims: This exploratory study investigated whether brain abnormalities in infants born very preterm predicted temperament.

Study design: Infants born prematurely underwent structural MRI at term. Mother self-reported depression symptoms at the scanning visit, and the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised-Short (IBQ-R-S) about their infant at 3-months corrected age.

Subjects: Infants (n = 214) born at ≤32 weeks gestation (M = 29.29, SD = 2.60). Average post-menstrual age at the MRI scan was 42.72 weeks (SD = 1.30). The majority of the infants were male (n = 115), and Caucasian (n = 145) or African American (n = 58). The average birthweight in grams was 1289.75 (SD = 448.5).

Outcome measures: Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised-Short (IBQ-R-S) subscales.

Results: Multivariate regression showed white matter abnormalities predicted lower ratings on High Intensity Pleasure and Vocal Reactivity, grey matter abnormalities predicted lower ratings on High Intensity Pleasure and Cuddliness, and cerebellar abnormalities predicted lower ratings on Fear and Sadness IBQ-R-S subscales adjusting for gestational age and sex. The pattern of results was essentially unchanged when maternal depression and socioeconomic status were included in the model.

Conclusions: Early MRI-diagnosed brain abnormalities in infants born very preterm were associated less vocalization and engagement during cuddling, decreased ability to take pleasure in stimulating activities, and lower emotionality in fear and sadness domains. Although replication is warranted, an under-reactive temperament in infants born preterm may have a neurobiological basis.

Keywords: Infant Behavior Questionnaire; MRI-diagnosed brain abnormalities; Neurodevelopmental outcomes; Premature infants; Temperament.

Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest None declared.

Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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