Abnormal Cerebral Microstructure in Premature Neonates with Congenital Heart Disease

Results from the whole-brain, voxelwise TBSS analysis contrasting fractional anisotropy, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity metrics between preterm patients with CHD and term neonates without CHD, controlling for postconceptional age. Results from a single cut at the level of the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum are displayed (see inlay in the upper left). The top row includes data from comparing all preterm CHD cases to the term neonates without CHD. Diffuse microstructural abnormalities are seen in nearly all white matter regions. The bottom row includes data from comparing only the preterm CHD cases without pWMLs with the term neonates without CHD. The only structure showing micotructural abnormality is the splenium. Voxels showing a significant reduction in FA and axial diffusivity and a significant increase in radial diffusivity are shown in red-yellow, with the color bar denoting statistical significance, corrected for multiple comparisons. Note that most of the group differences are due to the cases with pWMLs or periventricular leukomalacia. ExtCap indicates external capsule; ALIC = anterior limb of the internal capsule; PLIC = posterior limb of the internal capsule.