Cerebral MRI findings in very-low-birth-weight and small-for-gestational-age children at 15 years of age.
BACKGROUND
A high prevalence of abnormal cerebral MRI findings has been reported in low-birth-weight children.


OBJECTIVE
To compare MRI findings in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) and term small-for-gestational-age (SGA) children with controls in early adolescence.


METHODS
Cerebral MRI was used to examine 55 VLBW, 54 SGA and 66 controls at 15 years of age. The MR images were qualitatively assessed, and size of ventricles, white-matter and grey-matter abnormalities were reported.


RESULTS
The VLBW teenagers had a higher prevalence of various MRI abnormalities than SGA children and controls. Dilation of the ventricular system, especially of the occipital horns, was found in 82% of the VLBW group, in 19% of the SGA group and in 21% of controls. White-matter reduction was found in 53% of the VLBW, in 6% of the SGA and in 2% of controls. Corpus callosum thinning was found in 47% of the VLBW, in 2% of the SGA and in 6% of controls. Periventricular gliosis was found in 29% of the VLBW, in 4% of the SGA and in 8% of controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Cerebral MRI pathology in white matter is a common finding in VLBW teenagers. The findings may indicate minor perinatal PVL with resulting loss of white-matter tissue and ventricular dilation.
Skranes
Jon S
JS
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children's and Women's Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. skranes@c2i.net
Martinussen
Marit
M
Smevik
Olaug
O
Myhr
Gunnar
G
Indredavik
Marit
M
Vik
Torstein
T
Brubakk
Ann-Mari
AM
D000293:Adolescent; D061085:Agenesis of Corpus Callosum; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000503:physiopathology; D003337:Corpus Callosum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005911:Gliosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography