Early parenting is associated with the developing brains of children born very preterm

Objective Examine relationships between parenting and brain structure and growth in children born very preterm (VPT). Methods Participants were 118 children born VPT (<30weeks' gestation or <1,250 g birth weight) and their parents. Parenting behavior was observed at 2 years' corrected age. Brain magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed at term equivalent age and 7 years' corrected age with brain volumes and white matter microstructure analyzed. Results More sensitive parenting at 2 years was associated with larger basal ganglia volumes at 7 years for boys, greater growth in basal ganglia volume from term to 7 years, and greater growth in amygdala volume growth for boys. More intrusive parenting was associated with smaller intracranial and grey matter volumes at 7 years, as well as lower fractional anisotropy and higher radial diffusivity in the cerebellar white matter, cerebral peduncle, corticospinal tract, anterior thalamic radiation, and superior longitudinal fasciculus at 7. Conclusions Early positive parenting may be more strongly associated with subcortical brain development for boys born VPT, while early intrusive parenting may be associated with smaller cortical brain volumes and altered white matter microstructure in children born VPT.

Automated summary

Results of the study showed that more sensitive parenting at 2 years old was associated with larger basal ganglia volumes and greater growth in amygdala volume for boys at 7 years old, while more intrusive parenting was associated with smaller intracranial and grey matter volumes, as well as altered white matter microstructure in various brain regions at 7 years old. These findings suggest that early positive parenting may influence subcortical brain development in boys born very preterm, while early intrusive parenting may lead to smaller cortical brain volumes and altered white matter microstructure in children born very preterm.