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Neuropediatrics 1996; 27(6): 317-322
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-973801
Original Articles

© Hippokrates Verlag GmbH Stuttgart

Evaluation of the Corpus Callosum in Clumsy Children Born Prematurely: A Functional and Morphological Study

E. Mercuri1 , M. Jongmans2 , S. Henderson2 , J. Pennock3 , Y. Li Chung3 , L. de Vries4 , L. Dubowitz1
  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Royal Postgraduate Medical School,
  • 2Department of Psychology, Institute of Education, University of London,
  • 3Robert Steiner MRI Unit, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London,
  • 4Department of Neonatology, Wihelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Publication History

Publication Date:
13 March 2007 (online)

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of functional and neuroradiological abnormalities of the corpus callosum in a group of 21 prematurely born children (GA < 34 weeks) who were found to be "clumsy" on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children at 6 years of age. All children underwent functional and morphological assessment of the corpus callosum. The functional assessment included tests of somesthesis, diadochokinesis and repetitive finger tapping. The morphology of the corpus callosum was evaluated on midsagittal MRI. Thirteen of the 21 clumsy children showed morphological abnormalities which were significantly associated with functional abnormalities. Morphological changes of the corpus callosum were also significantly associated with lesions on both neonatal ultrasound and late MRI. Our results support the view that morphological abnormalities of the corpus callosum are frequent in children born prematurely. The association between these abnormalities and lesions on US or MRI suggests that they are likely to be secondary to pre- or perinatal lesions.

Key words

Corpus callosum - MRI - Preterm infants - Development - Clumsiness