Incidence of focal white matter lesions in a population of hemophiliac children and their normal siblings. Hemophilia Growth and Development Study.
OBJECTIVE
This analysis was undertaken to evaluate the etiology and sequelae of 2- to 5-mm focal white matter hyperintensities on T2-weighted MR images of some participants enrolled in the Hemophilia Growth and Development Study (HGDS).


METHODS
The HGDS is a multicenter study of the growth and development, neurological, neuropsychological, and immune functioning of a cohort of children and adolescents, 62% of whom were infected with HIV through the use of clotting factor concentrates, and their non-hemophiliac, non-HIV infected male siblings. The current investigation was conducted with all three groups of HGDS participants: HIV-positive hemophiliacs (n = 207), HIV-negative hemophiliacs (n = 126), and their siblings (n = 47). Magnetic resonance imaging was performed at each center, with a variety of 0.3 to 1.5 T instruments. Standard examinations included 5-mm-thick T1-weighted sagittal and axial images, intermediate, and T2-weighted axial images. A study of abnormalities of the coagulation system known to be associated with thrombotic events was conducted among a subgroup of participants (n = 51) from eight centers.


RESULTS
Lesions were not associated with hemophilia-related factors, immune function, hematologic, or neurologic factors. There were no associations between the presence of white matter lesions and defects of coagulation in any of the assays completed.


CONCLUSIONS
The 2- to 5-mm focal white matter hyperintensities on T2-weighted MR images of the brain were incidental findings in our study population.
Nelson
M D
MD
Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, California 90027, USA. mdnelson@chla.usc.edu
Wilson
D A
DA
Kisker
C T
CT
Evatt
B L
BL
Fenstermacher
M J
MJ
Lynn
H S
HS
Donfield
S M
SM
Maeder
M A
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications*; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male