Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate whether it is possible to detect future behavioral and emotional problems in extremely low-birth-weight infants by evaluating the neonatal head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a scoring system. This study included 62 extremely low-birth-weight infants born between April 2015 and March 2017 and those who had undergone MRI at 36 to 42 weeks of gestation. These subjects were administered with the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at age 4–5, and the patients who responded to the questionnaire were included in the study. A positive correlation was observed between the Global Brain Abnormality Score and Total Difficulties Score of the SDQ (r = 0.26, p = 0.038). However, no significant difference was observed between the median Global Brain Abnormality Score of the normal and borderline-range group and the Total Difficulties Score of the clinical-range group (p = 0.51). This study demonstrated the relationship between the MRI findings in the newborn period and the emotional and behavioral problems in early childhood, but it is not clinically useful as a predictive marker.
Highlights
It is widely known that very low-birth-weight infants have delayed motor and cognitive functions during their development [1]
143 extremely low-birth-weight infants who had undergone head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 36 to 42 weeks of gestation and 62 patients were included in the study, excluding 8 patients who had inadequate images and 73 patients who did not respond to the questionnaire
This study showed the correlation between the GBAS and Total Difficulties Score
Summary
It is widely known that very low-birth-weight infants have delayed motor and cognitive functions during their development [1]. It has been reported that preterm infants often have behavioral and emotional problems in early childhood and school age [2,3,4,5]. The behavioral and emotional problems of very low-birth-weight infants can interfere with their daily lives and cause problems for them and their parents. A previous study showed a significant improvement in behaviors with the help of mental health promotion and prevention programs [6]. If we can identify the signs of behavioral and emotional problems early, it is possible to reduce these problems. To date, no indicators for predicting behavioral and emotional problems in early childhood have been established
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