In order to evaluate the value of neonatal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for ... subependymal haemorrhage, ventricular/brain ratios and widths of the ...
Acta Pñdiatr 89: 348±55. 2000
Magnetic resonance imaging at term and neuromotor outcome in preterm infants AM Valkama1, ELE Pa¨a¨kko¨2, LK Vainionpa¨a¨1, FP Lanning2, EA Ilkko2 and ME Koivisto1 Departments of Paediatrics1 and Diagnostic Radiology 2, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
Valkama AM, Pa¨a¨kko¨ ELE, Vainionpa¨a¨ LK, Lanning FP, Ilkko EA, Koivisto ME. Magnetic resonance imaging at term and neuromotor outcome in preterm infants. Acta Pædiatr 2000; 89: 348–55. Stockholm. ISSN 0803–5253 In order to evaluate the value of neonatal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for predicting neuromotor outcome in very low birthweight (VLBW) preterm infants, 51 such infants with gestational age 0.35 (n)
Midbody index >0.35 (n)
Trigone index >0.60 (n)
8 4 4 30 10 20
6 3 3 21 8 13
4 3 1 16 7 9
neurological outcome on the grounds of any available examination method, because of poor sensitivity. Our results support the notion that imaging at term postconception age provides valuable information for predicting the neuromotor outcome in high-risk preterm infants as compared with examinations performed at an earlier age (8). Term age is often close to the discharge time for preterm infants, and their clinical condition is usually stable enough for them to be moved to the imaging room even if they are still dependent on oxygen. At the same time, the examination can most often be performed without extra medication. Diagnostic imaging at term age is also justified by the fact that PVL and infarcts are more reliably diagnosed after the acute phase. Cysts or atrophic changes are visible in the brain parenchyma, and traces of haemorrhage can still be seen, especially by MRI. Parenchymal lesions observed in MRI at term age were found here to be reliable predictors of CP. Therefore we recommend a brain MRI examination at term age in high-risk preterm infants, if it is available. Acknowledgements.—This work was supported by the Alma and KA Snellman Foundation, Finland, the Foundation for Pediatric Research, Finland, and the Maud Kuistila Memorial Foundation, Finland.
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