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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Can magnetic resonance spectroscopy predict neurodevelopmental outcome in very low birth weight preterm infants?
E M Augustine1, D M Spielman, P D Barnes
1Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.
Objective:
To determine if metabolite ratios at near-term age predict outcome in very low birth weight preterm infants at 18 to 24 months adjusted age.
Study Design:
Thirty-six infants (birth weight
Result:
Metabolic ratios showed no significant correlation with developmental outcome. A correlation was seen between N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/choline (Ch) and PMA in thalamus and basal ganglia.
Conclusion:
Metabolite ratios from near-term proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) were not predictive of Bayley scores at 18 to 24 months adjusted age. There was a positive correlation between NAA/Ch and PMA, which supports previous work by others for the importance of developmental changes in the MRS with age.
