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Abstract #1754

Microstructural development of the corpus callosum catches up between term and 7 years in children born <30 weeks gestation or <1250 g

Deanne K Thompson 1,2 , Loeka Van Bijnen 1 , Katherine J Lee 1,3 , Alexander Leemans 4 , Leona Pascoe 1 , Shannon E Scratch 1 , Christopher Adamson 1 , Gary F Egan 5,6 , Lex W Doyle 7 , Terrie E Inder 8 , and Peter J Anderson 1,3

1 Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 2 Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3 Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 4 Imaging Science Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands, 5 Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 6 florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 7 Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 8 Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusettes, United States

It is unknown whether early alterations to the corpus callosum (CC) persist or resolve over time. We aimed to determine whether longitudinal CC development occurs faster or slower in preterm children compared with term controls; and whether longitudinal CC development is associated with neurodevelopmental functioning. Diffusion tractography was performed at term-equivalent and 7 years in 76 very preterm and 16 controls. Preterm CC tract volume increased and diffusivity decreased more over time than controls. Greater reduction in diffusivity measures over time was associated with better cognitive and motor functioning. Thus corpus callosum development catches up after early insult.

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