title: Predictive value of neonatal brain MRI on the neurodevelopmental outcome of preterm infants by 5 years of age.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the prognostic value of MRI in preterm infants at term equivalent age for cognitive development at 5 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 217 very low birth weight/very low gestational age infants who all received brain MRI at term equivalent age were categorized into 4 groups based on the brain MRI findings. Cognitive development was assessed at 5 years of chronological age by using a short form of Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence - Revised. This information was combined with neurosensory diagnoses by 2 years of corrected age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of all infants 31 (17.0%) had Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) <85, 14 (6.5%) had cerebral palsy and 4 (1.8%) had severe hearing impairment. A total of 41 (22.0%) infants had some neurodevelopmental impairment at 5 years of age. Considering cognitive outcome (FSIQ <85), the positive predictive value of several major MRI pathologies was 43.8%, and the negative predictive value of normal finding or minor pathologies was 92.0% and 85.7%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MRI of the brain at term equivalent age may be valuable in predicting neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants by 5 years of age. The findings should always be interpreted alongside the clinical information of the infant. Furthermore, MRI should not replace a long-term clinical follow-up for very preterm infants.
authors: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland. sirkku.a.setanen@utu.fi
authors: Sirkku
authors: S
authors: Setänen
authors: Leena
authors: L
authors: Haataja
authors: Riitta
authors: R
authors: Parkkola
authors: Annika
authors: A
authors: Lind
authors: Liisa
authors: L
authors: Lehtonen
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests