MRI-based structural development of the human newborn hypothalamus
Key Points
Hypothalamic volume differences reflect early-life growth and vulnerability to exposures.
Newborns exposed to smoking show lasting volume changes into adolescence.
Observational analysis of hypothalamic volume through MRI highlights early-life growth stages.
Findings may indicate the need for early interventions for at-risk newborns.
Abstract
Early-life hypothalamic volume reflects both normative growth and vulnerability to intrauterine exposures, with smoking-related differences persisting into adolescence.