Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Scanning Dos and Don'ts: Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Awake Children Aged 3 to 5 Years to Assess Brain Structure and Function
Published on: March 10, 2026
Brain abnormalities in extremely low gestational age infants: a Swedish population based MRI study
Sandra Horsch1, Boubou Hallberg, Kristin Leifsdottir
1Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska Institutet Stockholm, Sweden. s.horsch@gmx.de
Insights
Brain abnormalities affect 18% of extremely low gestational age (ELGA) infants in Stockholm. Key risk factors identified include high CRIB II scores and intraventricular hemorrhages, guiding future preventative strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neurology
- Pediatric neuroimaging
Background:
- Preterm infants, particularly those with extremely low gestational age (ELGA), frequently exhibit brain abnormalities.
- Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a reliable method for detecting these abnormalities at term equivalent age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish population-based data on brain abnormalities in ELGA infants in the Stockholm region.
- To identify perinatal risk factors associated with MR-detected brain abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- MR imaging was performed on infants with gestational age <27 weeks born in Stockholm (2004-2005) at term equivalent age.
- A validated scoring system was used to analyze grey and white matter abnormalities.
Main Results:
- Moderate to severe white matter abnormalities were found in 18% of ELGA infants.
- Abnormalities were associated with higher Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB II) scores, inotrope use, high-grade intraventricular hemorrhages, and post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of moderate to severe white matter abnormalities in this ELGA cohort is 18%.
- Ongoing neurodevelopmental follow-up at 30 months corrected age will further elucidate the clinical relevance of these findings.
Aims:
Brain abnormalities are common in preterm infants and can be reliably detected by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at term equivalent age. The aim of the present study was to acquire population based data on brain abnormalities in extremely low gestational age (ELGA) infants from the Stockholm region and to correlate the MR findings to perinatal data, in order to identify risk factors.
Methods:
All infants with gestational age <27 weeks, born in the Stockholm region between January 2004 and August 2005, were scanned on a 1.5 T MR system at term equivalent age. Images were analysed using a previously established scoring system for grey and white matter abnormalities.
Results:
No or only mild white matter abnormalities were observed in 82% and moderate to severe white matter abnormalities in 18% of infants. The Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB II) score, use of inotropes, the presence of high-grade intraventricular haemorrhages and posthaemorrhagic ventricular dilatation were associated with white matter abnormalities.
Conclusion:
The incidence of moderate to severe white matter abnormalities in a population-based cohort of ELGA infants from the Stockholm region was 18%. To examine the clinical relevance of these promising results, neurodevelopmental follow up at 30 month corrected age, is ongoing.
