Altered neurobehavioral white matter integrity in preterm children: A confounding-controlled analysis using the adolescent brain and cognitive development (ABCD) study

This secondary analysis of the ABCD Study identified unconfounded neurobehavioral risk biomarkers associated with premature birth, along with underlying neurobiological and cognitive mechanisms. Children born preterm demonstrated reduced neurobehavioral white matter integrity within the frontal-limbic connectome, particularly in tasks requiring sustained attention and processing speed. This diminished adaptability places them at elevated risk for developing related neurodevelopmental difficulties. These findings highlight the urgent need for routine screening and preventive neuro-rehabilitative interventions-such as attention-focused and sensory-feedback-based training-for preterm-born populations.