Abnormal Primary Gyration In Relation To Deep Brain Injury In Preterm Infants

The cerebral sulci and gyri develop in an orderly way following preterm birth, as demonstrated by fetal or serial postnatal imaging following preterm birth. Primary gyration, or cortical folding, occurs mainly between 19-32 weeks of gestation. Large grooves that subdivide the brain in lobes and regions appear, driven by complex forces in the cortex, white matter and germinal matrix. By 36 weeks, most secondary and tertiary sulci are formed and primary sulci are deeper and tighter. A focal cortical brain injury can change cortical and gyral morphology at either stage (1). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.