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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Manual Segmentation of the Human Choroid Plexus Using Brain MRI
Published on: December 15, 2023
Developmental outcome of children who had choroid plexus cysts detected prenatally
Francois P Bernier1, Susan G Crawford, Deborah Dewey
1Department of Medical Genetics, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. fpbernie@ucalgary.ca
Insights
Isolated choroid plexus cysts (CPCs) detected prenatally do not appear to cause significant neurocognitive delays in early childhood. Children with CPCs showed comparable cognitive, motor, and adaptive development to controls.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
- Prenatal Ultrasound Diagnostics
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Choroid plexus cysts (CPCs) are common findings on prenatal ultrasounds.
- The neurodevelopmental implications of isolated CPCs require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cognitive, motor, language, and adaptive behavior development in children with isolated CPCs identified prenatally.
- To compare developmental outcomes of children with isolated CPCs against a control group.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective double cohort study design.
- Utilized standardized psychometric measures for developmental assessment.
- Compared children with isolated CPCs (n=37) to a control group (n=48) with normal prenatal ultrasounds.
Main Results:
- No clinically significant differences in Full Scale IQ (WISC-III, WPPSI-R), motor, or adaptive functioning between CPC and control groups.
- Children with CPCs showed slightly lower verbal functioning scores, but not clinically significant delays.
- Cohorts were comparable in socioeconomic status, sex, birth weight, and gestational age.
Conclusions:
- Isolated CPCs detected on midtrimester ultrasound are unlikely to be associated with significant neurocognitive delays.
- Early childhood development appears unaffected by isolated CPCs.
- Reassuring findings for parents and clinicians regarding isolated CPCs.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate cognitive, motor, language and adaptive behavior development in children who had isolated choroid plexus cysts (CPC) detected prenatally.
Methods:
A retrospective double cohort design and standardized psychometric measures were used to compare the development of children who had isolated CPCs identified prenatally with a control group of children who had normal prenatal ultrasounds.
Results:
Our study cohort (n = 37) had a mean age of 3.88 years (SD = 0.83) and the control cohort (n = 48) had a mean age of 4.62 years (SD = 1.03). The age difference between our cohorts was significant. There were no differences between cohorts in socioeconomic status, sex, birth weight or gestational age. Cognitive data showed no clinically significant difference in Full Scale IQ using the WISC-III or WPPSI-R (CPC = 113.97, control = 116.69). Scores on standardized measures of motor and adaptive functioning also did not show any significant group differences. Children with CPCs did score significantly lower than controls on some of the measures of verbal functioning; however, this difference was not associated with clinically significant delays.
Conclusion:
We conclude that the presence of isolated CPCs on midtrimester ultrasound are unlikely to be associated with any significant neurocognitive delays in early childhood.
