Early brain morphometrics from neonatal MRI predict motor and cognitive outcomes at 2-years corrected age in very preterm infants

•MRI morphometrics of very preterm infants were obtained between 29-35 weeks PMA.•Cortical GM volume and shape predict motor and cognitive outcomes at 2 years.•Demonstrates utility of early neonatal brain MRI for estimating 2-year outcomes. Infants born very preterm face a range of neurodevelopmental challenges in cognitive, language, behavioural and/or motor domains. Early accurate identification of those at risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, through clinical assessment and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), enables prognostication of outcomes and the initiation of targeted early interventions. This study utilises a prospective cohort of 181 infants born