PREBO-6: Prediction of childhood Brain Outcomes in infants born preterm

Babies born very early (before 31 weeks of pregnancy) are at risk of long-term challenges with movement, thinking, learning, and behaviour. Early MRI scans taken of these babies' brains, along with physical and neurological assessments, may be able to predict which children will develop these difficulties. The PREBO-6 study follows up children who participated in earlier research studies (PREMO and PREBO) and examines how they are doing now that they have reached six years of age. At age six, children complete assessments of their motor skills, thinking and language abilities, educational achievement, and mental health. Researchers will see whether the early brain scans and assessments taken when they were babies predicted these later outcomes. If early scans can reliably predict development, families could receive tailored support and early interventions much sooner. Your child may be eligible if they participated in the PREMO or PREBO study as an infant and are now turning six years old (corrected age). They should have been born at less than 31 weeks gestation, or be a term-born comparison child from those studies. Children with chromosomal or congenital abnormalities affecting development, or whose families do not speak English, are not eligible.