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Brain development (sulci and gyri) as assessed by early postnatal MR imaging in preterm and term newborn infants
K Ruoss1, K Lövblad, G Schroth
1Division of Neonatology, University Women's Hospital, Berne, Switzerland.
Insights
Early postnatal MRI reveals fetal brain maturation begins centrally and progresses outward, with the frontal cortex developing last. This imaging technique is valuable for assessing neonatal brain development and neurological outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Fetal brain development is a complex process crucial for long-term neurological health.
- Understanding typical maturation patterns is essential for identifying deviations and potential pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate fetal brain development in vivo using early postnatal cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- To establish normative data for brain maturation in term and preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 1.5-T MRI with spin-echo sequences (T1- and T2-weighted) in 51 infants.
- Two neuroradiologists assessed the development of 12 sulci and 10 gyri using a modified scoring system, blinded to gestational age and clinical history.
- Gestational age was determined by ultrasound or last menstrual period.
Main Results:
- Brain maturation progresses from the central area towards the parieto-occipital cortex, with the frontal cortex developing last.
- Specific maturation stages (degrees 1, 2, 3) in the central cortex initiate at 25, 32, and 35 weeks, completing by 34, 36, and 39 weeks, respectively.
- Observed maturation patterns align with previous reports.
Conclusions:
- Early postnatal MRI is a suitable method for studying fetal brain maturation.
- Findings have potential pathophysiological relevance for neonatal intensive care and neurological follow-up studies.
- This research contributes to a better understanding of neonatal brain development and potential abnormalities.
Objective:
To investigate fetal brain development in vivo using early postnatal cranial MRI in term and preterm newborn infants.
Study Design:
51 infants, 1.5-T whole-body system, extremity coil, spin-echo images obtained in all three planes (T1- and T2-weighted). Independent review by two neuroradiologists (blinded for gestational age and medical history) regarding the development of 12 sulci and 10 gyri using a modified scoring system. Gestational age was obtained either by ultrasound or from the first day of the last menstrual period.
Exclusion Criteria:
head circumference <10th or >90th percentile, cerebral malformation, chromosomal/metabolic disorder.
Results And Conclusion:
Age at study ranged from 23 5/7-43 0/7 postmenstrual weeks. Brain maturation starts in the central area and proceeds towards the parieto-occipital cortex. The frontal cortex develops last. Transition to degrees 1, degrees 2 and, degrees 3 starts at week 25, 32 and 35 in the central cortex and is completed at week 34, 36 and 39, respectively. Our data compare favourably with the two previously published reports about brain maturation. Early MR imaging seems therefore to be suited to study maturation of the fetal brain. This may be of pathophysiological relevance in neonatal intensive care and neurological follow-up studies.
