title: Normative fetal brain growth by quantitative in vivo magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to characterize total and regional volumetric brain growth in healthy fetuses during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, using an automated method.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed and validated an automated method to quantify global and regional in vivo brain volumes using fetal magnetic resonance imaging. We then computed the percentage of growth for each brain structure in a cohort of 64 healthy fetuses (25.4-36.6 weeks' gestational age).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cerebellum demonstrated the greatest maturation rate, with a 4-fold increase (384%) in volume between 25.4 and 36.6 weeks, and a relative growth rate of 12.87% per week. Both total brain and cerebral volumes increased by 230% and brain stem volume by 134% over the same gestational age period. Conversely, lateral ventricular volume decreased by 4.18% per week.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The availability and ongoing validation of normative fetal brain growth trajectories will provide important tools for early detection of impaired fetal brain growth upon which to manage high-risk pregnancies.
authors: Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
authors: Cedric
authors: C
authors: Clouchoux
authors: Nicolas
authors: N
authors: Guizard
authors: Alan Charles
authors: AC
authors: Evans
authors: Adre Jacques
authors: AJ
authors: du Plessis
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Limperopoulos
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies