The relationship between brain structure and cognition in transfused preterm children at school age

Dev Neuropsychol. 2014;39(3):226-32. doi: 10.1080/87565641.2013.874428.

Abstract

Examine the relationship between brain structure and cognition in preterm children randomly assigned to a liberal red blood cell (RBC) transfusion strategy as neonates. Intelligence, achievement, and neuropsychological measures were assessed and structural imaging was obtained (n = 26; 38% male). Global brain volumes were related to cognitive outcome. Additionally, females performed lower on verbal fluency; lower performance was related to temporal white matter volume. Findings provide possible evidence of the adverse effect of a liberal RBC transfusion strategy in which females had decreased temporal lobe white matter directly related to poor verbal fluency.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brain / anatomy & histology
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Child Development
  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Erythrocyte Transfusion / adverse effects*
  • Erythrocyte Transfusion / methods*
  • Female
  • Hematocrit / methods
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Intelligence*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Neuroimaging
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Premature Birth*
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Sex Factors