title: The neurological outcomes of cerebellar injury in premature infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cerebellar injury is a characteristic injury associated with preterm infants. However, the impact of cerebellar injury on the development of preterm infants is unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed magnetic resonance image studies of preterm infants with cerebral palsy retrospectively and evaluated the developmental outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cerebellar injury was recognized in 9 (2.4%) of 381 patients with cerebral palsy who were born preterm. The median gestational age was 26 (range 23-32) weeks and the median birth weight was 938 (range 492-1450) g. Seven of the nine patients had severe symmetric injuries to the inferior cerebellar hemispheres, resulting in a pancake-like appearance of the residual upper cerebellum. Supratentorial lesions were also recognized: periventricular leukomalacia in seven; atrophy of the basal ganglia in two; and intraventricular hemorrhage in two. Importantly, the motor dysfunction was related to the reduction in the white matter volume and severity of basal ganglia atrophy, but not to the cerebellar injury. Four of the nine patients could walk without limitations despite extensive cerebellar disruption. Only four patients could speak meaningful words during the study and only one spoke two-word sentences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The patients with cerebellar injury might have a communication handicap, rather than altered motor function. Prematurity-related cerebellar complications require more attention in terms of cognitive and speech function, in addition to neuromotor development.
authors: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Takuto Rehabilitation Center for Children, Sendai, Japan. Electronic address: kobasato@muf.biglobe.ne.jp.
authors: Satoru
authors: S
authors: Kobayashi
authors: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Takuto Rehabilitation Center for Children, Sendai, Japan.
authors: Keisuke
authors: K
authors: Wakusawa
authors: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Takuto Rehabilitation Center for Children, Sendai, Japan.
authors: Takehiko
authors: T
authors: Inui
authors: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Takuto Rehabilitation Center for Children, Sendai, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
authors: Soichiro
authors: S
authors: Tanaka
authors: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Takuto Rehabilitation Center for Children, Sendai, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Nishitaga National Hospital, Sendai, Japan.
authors: Yasuko
authors: Y
authors: Kobayashi
authors: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Takuto Rehabilitation Center for Children, Sendai, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Ekoh-Ryoikuen, Sendai, Japan.
authors: Akira
authors: A
authors: Onuma
authors: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Takuto Rehabilitation Center for Children, Sendai, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
authors: Kazuhiro
authors: K
authors: Haginoya
mesh_terms: D001284:Atrophy; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000473:pathology; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology*; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007969:Leukomalacia, Periventricular / Q000150:complications; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D066127:White Matter / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Cerebellar injury; Cerebral palsy; Magnetic resonance image; Preterm infants