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Correlation among Magnetic Resonance Imaging Parameters of Brain in Preterm Neonates at Term Equivalent Age

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Abstract

Objectives

To assess the spectrum of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) abnormalities among preterm babies at term equivalent age using objective scoring and to study the association among MRI variables.

Methods

Ninety-four preterm babies born at ≤32 wk of gestation and / or birth weight ≤ 1500 g at term equivalent age who underwent cranial MRI between April 2011 and August 2012 and the MRI interpreted by experienced radiologists were studied. In 2014, the MRI was retrospectively re-interpreted by the same radiologists using an objective scoring system described by Kidokoro. Spectrum of MRI abnormalities, their association with perinatal variables and correlation among white matter (WM), grey matter and cerebellar scores were analyzed.

Results

MRI abnormalities observed were WM signal abnormality (24 %), lateral ventricular dilatation (16 %), WM cystic abnormality (13 %), deep grey matter signal abnormality (9 %), cerebellar volume reduction (9 %) and deep grey matter volume reduction (8 %). Sepsis was significantly associated with occurrence of WM and cerebellar abnormalities (p < 0.05). WM scores did not show significant correlation with cortical grey matter and deep grey matter scores while cerebellar scores showed a weak positive correlation with WM (r = 0.33), cortical grey matter (r = 0.27) and deep grey matter scores (r = 0.22).

Conclusions

MRI abnormalities are common in preterm infants, with 60 % showing some abnormality at term equivalent age. Among perinatal characteristics, sepsis was identified as risk factor for WM and cerebellar injury. Grey matter abnormality occurs independent of WM abnormality. Cerebellar abnormalities appear to coexist with either WM or grey matter changes.

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks to the infants and their parents for participating in the study; Authors thank Prof. Emmanuel Bhaskar for helping in manuscript preparation.

Contributions

UB, PA and BN: Conceptualization, obtaining informed consent from subject’s parents after appropriate information and explanation, supervision of the MRI procedure and collection and analysis of data; UB and PA: Manuscript preparation; AC and RR: Interpreted MRI by conventional method and objective scoring system. BN will act as guarantor for the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neonatology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Porur, Chennai, 600116, India

    Umamaheswari Balakrishnan, Prakash Amboiram & Binu Ninan

  2. Department of Radiology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Porur, Chennai, 600116, India

    Anupama Chandrasekar & Rajeswaran Rangasami

Authors
  1. Umamaheswari Balakrishnan
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  2. Prakash Amboiram
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  3. Binu Ninan
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  4. Anupama Chandrasekar
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  5. Rajeswaran Rangasami
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Umamaheswari Balakrishnan.

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Conflict of Interest

None.

Source of Funding

Institutional funding GATE (Growth and advancement towards excellence) Funding for doing MRI for the study cohort.

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Balakrishnan, U., Amboiram, P., Ninan, B. et al. Correlation among Magnetic Resonance Imaging Parameters of Brain in Preterm Neonates at Term Equivalent Age. Indian J Pediatr 84, 13–19 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-016-2215-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-016-2215-y

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