The capabilities of 3D neurosonography in assessing the postnatal formation of the cerebral cortex in very preterm infants

Objective. To determine the stages of formation of the cerebral cortex and the terms of initial echographic visualization of its furrows in very preterm infants to reach a post-conceptual age of 40 weeks, by applying 3D neurosonography. Material and methods. Archival 3D files of weekly brain scans from 39 very preterm infants were analyzed in the framework of a prospective study. Results. In-depth analysis of serial sections by 3D neurosonography revealed a certain sequence of appearance of furrows in the image during the postnatal development of the cerebral cortex. The examination revealed no clear differences in the timing of initial echographic imaging of fissures in babies born from singleton and multiple pregnancies. Conclusion. 3D neurosonography is a priority method for monitoring the postnatal development of the cerebral cortex in very preterm infants. The results of this investigation can be used to assess the postnatal structural development of the cerebral cortex in very pr