Biomarker could determine developmental issues in premature babies

A possible biomarker has been identified that could help to predict whether a premature baby has a high chance of suffering from motor development problems. Researchers have discovered a biomarker that may be able to identify high risk infants, which could help to provide the correct support from early on.

The study, published in the online journal 'Radiology', focussed on 43 premature infants, 24 of whom were male, that were born at less than 32 weeks. All of the infants were admitted to the neonatal neuroimaging intensive care unit (NICU) at the University College of London between the years 2007 and 2010. Each of the babies underwent magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams on what would have been their due dates.

The exams focussed upon the white matter in the brain, which is made up of nerve fibers. These fibers connect the functional areas of the brain together. It is also a fragile area of the brain, especially within young infants, and so is at risk of injury. 

Forty of the 43 infants were examined 12 months later using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development. The scales assess communication abilities, fine motor and gross motor skills. Some 15 of the babies were found to have abnormal composite motor scores, while four of them showed signs of cognitive impairment. 

Analysis of the MRS exams and Bayley scales scores showed that the developmental delays a year after birth were linked to two chemical ratios. Increased choline/creatine (Cho/Cr) and decreased N-acetylaspartate/choline (NAA/Cho) showed a significant correlation to later development difficulties. 

Dr Giles Kendall, consultant for the NICU at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and honorary senior lecturer of neonatal neuroimaging and neuroprotection at the University College london, said: "Low N-acetylaspartate/choline and rising choline/creatine observed during MRS at the baby's expected due date predicted with 70 per cent certainty which babies were at high risk for motor development problems at one year."