Differential white matter development and cognitive abilities in the infant born very preterm: a 6-year follow-up study

Motivation: Children born very preterm are at significant risk for neurodevelopmental impairments. However, an integrated understanding of these abnormalities remains unclear. Goal(s): This study aimed to identify differences in white matter development and cognitive abilities in children born very preterm compared to full-term born controls in a 6-year follow-up study. Approach: We analyzed differential white matter development and cognitive abilities in infants born very preterm using TBSS in a 6-year follow-up study. Results: We found that while overall white matter development was delayed in very preterm infants, it may catch up to that of full-term controls by 6 years of age. Impact: We analyzed differential white matter development and cognitive abilities in infants born very preterm. Our findings suggest that the white matter microstructure in very preterm infants can catch up to that of full-term born controls by school age.