Abstract #2062

Edwards A, Counsell S, Cowan F, Rutherford M, Hajnal J, Srinivasan L, Larkman D, Allsop J, Fitzpatrick J, Anjari M

Structural abnormalities affecting the corpus callosum in infants who were born preterm have previously been reported. We aimed to investigate callosal microstructure using diffusion tensor imaging in order to test the hypothesis that radial diffusivity was elevated in this structure in preterm infants. Diffusion tensor imaging was obtained from 15 preterm infants at term equivalent age and 5 healthy term born control infants. We found that radial diffusivity was significantly elevated in the posterior portion of the body of the corpus callosum. This suggests that microstructural abnormalities, in addition to the previously reported macrostructural abnormalities, are prevalent in preterm infants.