Early diffusion-weighted MRI and 1H-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in asphyxiated full-term neonates.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the predictive value of early MRI and proton MR spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS), 11 full-term neonates with severe perinatal asphyxia were studied within 48 h after birth.


METHODS
T(1)- and T(2)-weighted MRI, diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI), apparent diffusion coefficient of water (ADC) of the basal ganglia and parietal white matter, as well as (1)H-MRS of the basal ganglia were performed in a 1.5-Tesla magnetic field. Neurodevelopment was assessed in the survivors for at least 24 months.


RESULTS
Nine of the 11 neonates had a poor outcome (7 died, 2 developed cerebral palsy). All examinations were normal in the 2 neonates with a good outcome. T(1)- and T(2)-weighted MRI were abnormal in 7, DWI was abnormal in 7, ADC was abnormal in 5, and elevated lactate/N-acetylaspartate ratios using (1)H-MRS were seen in 7 of the 9 neonates with a poor outcome. None of these 9 had completely normal MRI or (1)H-MRS findings.


CONCLUSIONS
Using a combination of T(1)- and T(2)-weighted MRI, DW-MRI, ADC measurements and (1)H-MRS within 48 h after severe perinatal asphyxia, no abnormalities were seen with any of these techniques in both neonates with a good outcome.
L'Abee
Carianne
C
Department of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital/University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.
de Vries
Linda S
LS
van der Grond
Jeroen
J
Groenendaal
Floris
F
D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000473:pathology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D011379:Prognosis; D014469:Umbilical Arteries