The maternal-fetal neurodevelopmental groundings of preterm birth risk.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Altered neurodevelopment is a major clinical sequela of Preterm Birth (PTB) being currently unexplored in-utero.

Aims

To study the link between fetal brain functional (FbF) connectivity and preterm birth, using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI).

Study design

Prospective single-centre cohort study.

Subjects

A sample of 31 singleton pregnancies at 28-34 weeks assigned to a low PTB risk (LR) (n = 19) or high PTB risk (HR) (n = 12) group based on a) the Maternal Frailty Inventory (MaFra) for PTB risk; b) a case-specific PTB risk gradient.

Methods

Fetal brain rs-fMRI was performed on 1.5T MRI scanner. First, directed causal relations representing fetal brain functional connectivity measurements were estimated using the G

SUBMITTER: Miglioli C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11002256 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature