Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy improves outcome prediction in perinatal CNS insults.
OBJECTIVE
Prediction of neurologic outcome is difficult in neonates with acute nervous system injury. Previous studies using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) have been used to predict short-term neurologic outcome in neonates with a variety of neurologic insults. We were interested in determining the effectiveness of combining clinical evaluation and spectroscopy obtained at the time of injury in predicting neurologic outcome at 24 months.


METHODS
We studied 33 neonates with acute central nervous system injury, 5.8+/-3.7 days of injury, owing to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Neonates were assessed using clinical variables (initial arterial pH, initial blood glucose, Sarnat score, electroencephalography) and spectroscopy (NAA/Cho, NAA/Cre, Cho/Cre, and lactate). Neonates were divided into two outcome groups: good/moderate and poor. Differences between the groups were assessed using chi(2) and t-test analyses. We analyzed the best predictors of outcome using discriminant analysis and calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values for each variable independently and in combination.


RESULTS
There were significant differences between the good/moderate and poor outcome for the Sarnat score, EEG, lactate, and NAA/Cho. Spectroscopy combined with clinical variables improved sensitivity, but not specificity for predicting outcome. The presence of lactate had the best individual predictive value. Combination of the clinical with the MRS variables had the highest predictive value.


CONCLUSIONS
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy done early after injury improves the ability to predict neurologic outcome at 24 months of age.
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
Munaf
M
Kadri
Stanford
S
Shu
Barbara
B
Holshouser
Douglas
D
Deming
Andrew
A
Hopper
Ricardo
R
Peverini
Stephen
S
Ashwal
D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002794:Choline / Q000032:analysis; D003401:Creatine / Q000032:analysis; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D018458:Persistent Vegetative State / Q000209:etiology; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D001224:Aspartic Acid; C000179:N-acetylaspartate; D003401:Creatine; D002794:Choline