Prenatal Adversity and Neonatal White Matter Microstructure Independently Relate to Language Outcomes at Age 2 Years.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To examine the mediating and moderating associations between prenatal exposure to adversity and neonatal white matter (WM) development on language outcomes at age 2 years.

Study design

This longitudinal study includes 160 infants (gestational ages 41 - 39 weeks, n = 83; 38 - 37 weeks, n = 62; 36 - 34 weeks, n = 15) with neonatal diffusion MRI and language assessments at age 2 years using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-III. Prenatal social disadvantage (PSD) and maternal psychosocial stress were assessed throughout the prenatal period. Multivariable and stepwise linear regression, mediation, and moderation analyses were used to investigate associations between prenatal adversities and neonatal WM on language outcomes. Maternal cognition and stim

SUBMITTER: Bjork J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12291199 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature