Neonatal brain volumes and birth characteristics predict behavioural outcomes in toddlerhood

Abstract

Early brain structure and birth factors (e.g., sex, birth weight, gestational age at birth) are understood as critical to shaping lifelong developmental and psychopathological outcomes. Here, we used data from the developing Human Connectome Project to examine whether neonatal brain volumes and birth factors predict developmental and socioemotional outcomes in toddlerhood. Structural MRI scans were acquired from 391 infants at birth (193 females, 198 males; mean age = 8 days), with follow-up behavioural assessments conducted in toddlerhood (mean age = 18 months). Larger neonatal brain volumes, predominantly at the global level, were predictive of lower autistic traits and higher cognitive, language and motor outcomes. Higher gestational age and weight at birth were associated with higher scores on language, cognitive, and motor outcomes - effects that were partially mediated by larger brain volumes at birth. Finally, while females showed higher language scores compared to males, this effect was suppressed rather than mediated by neonatal brain volumes. These findings demonstrate the important role that birth factors may play in shaping early developmental and neuropsychiatric outcomes.