Grant: Operating Grant: ECI grants in Maternal, Reproductive, Child & Youth Health

Children born very preterm [VPT] (<32 weeks gestational age) are at a greater risk of presenting with lifelong developmental difficulties. One possible explanation for the presence of these difficulties stems from the hypothesis that brain development (i.e. maturation) of VPT infants is delayed. Nevertheless, how much the brain adapts and whether it catches up during its most active period of development that is the first few years of life remains to be determined. A greater understanding of the core brain characteristics of abnormal neurodevelopmental profiles and the identification of critical time periods of brain plasticity could provide specific targets for early intervention strategies tailored to this at-risk group. We therefore propose to characterize and compare in vivo brain maturation using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging techniques during the year that follows corrected term equivalent age between VPT and healthy term-born controls. Understanding how the brain grows and adapts during this active time of maturation will subsequently help us better plan early targeted care for VPT infants throughout this sensitive period. Our long-term goal is to optimize neurodevelopment in this highly vulnerable group.