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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Diffusion Imaging in the Rat Cervical Spinal Cord
Published on: April 7, 2015
Diffusion-weighted imaging of cerebral white matter and the cerebellum following preterm birth
Anthony R Hart1, Elspeth H Whitby, Simon J Clark
1Department of Neonatology, Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Tree Root Walk, Sheffield, UK. t.hart@doctors.org.uk
Insights
Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) in preterm infants
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Diffusion-weighted imaging
Background:
- Preterm birth can lead to white matter damage.
- Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) measures water diffusion in tissues.
- Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) quantify water diffusion, reflecting tissue microstructure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if ADCs in the cerebral white matter and cerebellum of preterm infants are influenced by white matter damage.
- To explore correlations between ADC values and clinical factors.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-two preterm infants underwent brain MRI around term-equivalent age.
- Infants were grouped based on white matter abnormalities: normal, overt abnormality, or diffuse excessive high signal intensity (DEHSI).
- ADC values were calculated for cerebral white matter, cerebellar hemispheres, and cerebellar midline.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in ADC values were found between the groups.
- Cerebral white matter ADC values showed a negative correlation with the number of postnatal sepsis episodes.
- Cerebellar ADC values correlated with gestational age at birth.
Conclusions:
- White matter damage (DEHSI) in preterm infants does not alter ADC values.
- Postnatal sepsis is associated with altered white matter ADC values.
- Cerebellar ADC values are influenced by prematurity, not white matter damage.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to determine if apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) generated with diffusion-weighted imaging of cerebral white matter and the cerebellum are affected by white matter damage.
Method:
Seventy-two preterm infants (32 males, 40 females; mean gestational age at birth 30.3 wks, SD 3.0 wks; mean birthweight 1458g, SD 534g) underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the brain around term-equivalent age and were categorized into three groups: normal, overt abnormality, and diffuse excessive high signal intensity (DEHSI). ADC values were calculated from cerebral white matter, cerebellar hemispheres, and cerebellar midline, and were compared between groups. Regression analysis identified clinical parameters correlated with ADC values.
Results:
Imaging was normal in 27 infants, and revealed overt abnormalities in 14 and DEHSI in 31. ADC values did not differ between groups. ADC values from cerebral white matter were negatively correlated with the number of episodes of postnatal sepsis (p=0.002). ADC values from cerebellar hemispheres (p=0.007) and cerebellar midline (p=0.036) correlated with gestational age at birth.
Interpretation:
ADC values from white matter are not altered in preterm infants with DEHSI but are negatively correlated with the number of episodes of postnatal sepsis. ADC values in the cerebellum are not altered by white matter damage, but are affected by preterm birth itself.
