A regional brain volume–based age prediction model for neonates and the derived brain maturation index

Objective To develop a postmenstrual age (PMA) prediction model based on segmentation volume and to evaluate the brain maturation index using the proposed model. Methods Neonatal brain MRIs without clinical illness or structural abnormalities were collected from four datasets from the Developing Human Connectome Project, the Catholic University of Korea, Hammersmith Hospital (HS), and Dankook University Hospital (DU). T1- and T2-weighted images were used to train a brain segmentation model. Another model to predict the PMA of neonates based on segmentation data was developed. Accuracy was assessed using mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean error (ME). The brain maturation index was calculated as the difference between the PMA predicted by the model and the true PMA, and its correlation with postnatal age was analyzed. Results A total of 247 neonates (mean gestation age 37 ± 4 weeks; range 24–42 weeks) were included. Thirty-one features were extracted from each neonate and the three most contributing features for PMA prediction were the right lateral ventricle, left caudate, and corpus callosum. The predicted and true PMA were positively correlated (coefficient = 0.88, p < .001). MAE, RMSE, and ME of the external dataset of HS and DU were 1.57 and 1.33, 1.79 and 1.37, and 0.37 and 0.06 weeks, respectively. The brain maturation index negatively correlated with postnatal age (coefficient = − 0.24, p < .001). Conclusion A model that calculates the regional brain volume can predict the PMA of neonates, which can then be utilized to show the brain maturation degree. Clinical relevance statement A brain maturity index based on regional volume of neonate’s brain can be used to measure brain maturation degree, which can help identify the status of early brain development. Key Points • Neonatal brain MRI segmentation model could be used to assess neonatal brain maturation status. • A postmenstrual age (PMA) prediction model was developed based on a neonatal brain MRI segmentation model. • The brain maturation index, derived from the PMA prediction model, enabled the estimation of the neonatal brain maturation status.