Correlation among Magnetic Resonance Imaging Parameters of Brain in Preterm Neonates at Term Equivalent Age.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the spectrum of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) abnormalities among preterm babies at term equivalent age using objective scoring and to study the association among MRI variables.


METHODS
Ninety-four preterm babies born at ≤32 wk of gestation and / or birth weight ≤ 1500 g at term equivalent age who underwent cranial MRI between April 2011 and August 2012 and the MRI interpreted by experienced radiologists were studied. In 2014, the MRI was retrospectively re-interpreted by the same radiologists using an objective scoring system described by Kidokoro. Spectrum of MRI abnormalities, their association with perinatal variables and correlation among white matter (WM), grey matter and cerebellar scores were analyzed.


RESULTS
MRI abnormalities observed were WM signal abnormality (24 %), lateral ventricular dilatation (16 %), WM cystic abnormality (13 %), deep grey matter signal abnormality (9 %), cerebellar volume reduction (9 %) and deep grey matter volume reduction (8 %). Sepsis was significantly associated with occurrence of WM and cerebellar abnormalities (p < 0.05). WM scores did not show significant correlation with cortical grey matter and deep grey matter scores while cerebellar scores showed a weak positive correlation with WM (r = 0.33), cortical grey matter (r = 0.27) and deep grey matter scores (r = 0.22).


CONCLUSIONS
MRI abnormalities are common in preterm infants, with 60 % showing some abnormality at term equivalent age. Among perinatal characteristics, sepsis was identified as risk factor for WM and cerebellar injury. Grey matter abnormality occurs independent of WM abnormality. Cerebellar abnormalities appear to coexist with either WM or grey matter changes.
Department of Neonatology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Porur, Chennai, 600116, India. drumarajakumar@gmail.com.
Umamaheswari
U
Balakrishnan
Department of Neonatology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Porur, Chennai, 600116, India.
Prakash
P
Amboiram
Department of Neonatology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Porur, Chennai, 600116, India.
Binu
B
Ninan
Department of Radiology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Porur, Chennai, 600116, India.
Anupama
A
Chandrasekar
Department of Radiology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Porur, Chennai, 600116, India.
Rajeswaran
R
Rangasami
D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies
Grey matter; India; MRI; Preterm; White matter