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Intracranial volume change in childhood.
S Sgouros1, J H Goldin, A D Hockley
1Department of Craniofacial Surgery and Institute of Child Health, Birmingham Children's Hospital, United Kingdom. S.Sgouros@bham.ac.uk
Journal of Neurosurgery
|October 3, 1999
Summary
This study models normal changes in a child's intracranial volume (ICV) from infancy to adolescence. Males generally have larger ICV than females, with growth occurring in distinct, non-linear, 5-year periods.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Understanding typical brain development is crucial for identifying potential neurological abnormalities.
- Intracranial volume (ICV) is a key indicator of brain growth and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a normative model for intracranial volume (ICV) changes in children.
- To track ICV development from early childhood (7 days) through adolescence (15 years).
Main Methods:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was used to acquire brain scans of healthy children.
- Image segmentation techniques were employed to accurately measure ICV.
- Measured ICV was plotted against age to establish growth patterns.
Main Results:
- Infant ICV averages 900 cm³ (males) and 600 cm³ (females), reaching 1500 cm³ (males) and 1300 cm³ (females) by age 15.
- By age 2, ICV reaches 77% of 15-year-old volume; by age 5, it reaches 90%.
- ICV growth is non-linear, exhibiting distinct linear growth phases within 5-year intervals (0-5, 5-10, 10-15 years).
Conclusions:
- Males consistently exhibit larger ICV than females throughout childhood.
- Childhood ICV growth follows a segmented, non-linear trajectory with distinct linear phases.
- The established model provides a reference for normal intracranial volume development.