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Brain perfusion in children: evolution with age assessed by quantitative perfusion computed tomography
Max Wintermark1, Domenico Lepori, Jacques Cotting
1Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland. max_wintermark@hotmail.com
Pediatrics
|June 3, 2004
Summary
Brain perfusion in children changes significantly with age, as shown by quantitative perfusion CT. These age-related patterns correlate with brain development and emerging cognitive functions.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Assessing pediatric brain development is crucial for understanding neurological maturation.
- Quantitative cerebral perfusion computed tomography (CT) offers a method to evaluate brain blood flow.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze age-related changes in brain perfusion using quantitative CT in healthy children.
- To establish normative data for brain perfusion across different pediatric age groups.
Main Methods:
- Brain perfusion CT scans were performed on 77 children aged 7 days to 18 years.
- A subset of 53 children with normal conventional CT and clinical follow-up were included.
- Quantitative parameters like regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and global cerebral blood flow (gCBF) were measured.
Main Results:
- Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) varied significantly with age, peaking between 2-4 years and stabilizing by 7-8 years.
- Gray matter rCBF was approximately three times higher than white matter rCBF after the first six months.
- Global cerebral blood flow (gCBF) as a percentage of cardiac output peaked at 2-4 years and stabilized by 7-8 years.
Conclusions:
- Quantitative perfusion CT reveals distinct age-specific patterns of brain perfusion in children.
- These perfusion patterns are closely linked to neuroanatomic development and psychomotor maturation.