Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026
Human Fetal Blood Flow Quantification with Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Motion Compensation
Published on: January 7, 2021
Magnetic resonance imaging for detection of brain abnormalities in fetuses with cleft lip and/or cleft palate
Insights
Prenatal imaging detected brain abnormalities in 6.3% of fetuses with cleft lip/palate (CL/P) or cleft palate (CP). Additional cases were found postnatally, highlighting the need for neuroimaging and follow-up in affected infants.
Area of Science:
- Medical imaging
- Pediatric radiology
- Fetal medicine
Background:
- Cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) and cleft palate only (CP) are common congenital conditions.
- Prenatal diagnosis of CL/P or CP often relies on sonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- The association between CL/P or CP and underlying brain abnormalities requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of brain abnormalities in fetuses diagnosed with CL/P or CP using prenatal imaging.
- To compare prenatal imaging findings with postnatal imaging and neurologic evaluations.
- To assess the diagnostic accuracy of prenatal imaging for detecting central nervous system anomalies in this population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of radiologic images (MRI and sonography) from fetuses with CL/P or CP.
- Review conducted by a pediatric radiologist specializing in fetal imaging.
- Correlation of prenatal findings with postnatal imaging and clinical data when available.
Main Results:
- Prenatal MRI identified brain abnormalities in 6.3% (8 of 126) of fetuses with CL/P or CP.
- Identified abnormalities included corpus callosal dysgenesis, encephalocele, cerebellar hypoplasia, and neuronal migration anomalies.
- Two additional cases of brain abnormalities were detected postnatally, missed by prenatal imaging.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal imaging (sonography and MRI) should assess for brain anomalies in fetuses with CL/P or CP.
- Central nervous system imaging is recommended for these infants.
- Careful neurodevelopmental follow-up is indicated for infants with CL/P or CP.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence of brain abnormalities identified by prenatal imaging of fetuses with cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) or cleft palate only (CP) and to compare with postnatal imaging and neurologic evaluation.
Design:
This was a retrospective review of radiologic images (magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] and sonography) of fetuses diagnosed with CL/P or CP at the Advanced Fetal Care Center at Children's Hospital Boston between 2002 and 2008. Images were reviewed for possible brain abnormalities by a pediatric radiologist who specializes in this field. Postnatal imaging was also assessed whenever available and correlated with clinical findings.
Setting:
A large, tertiary-care, academic pediatric hospital.
Population:
One hundred twenty-six fetuses and 105 corresponding infants.
Results:
Brain abnormalities were found in 8 of 126 fetuses (6.3%) by prenatal MRI. The malformations were corpus callosal dysgenesis (n = 3), encephalocele (n = 1), hypoplasia of the cerebellar hemispheres or vermis (n = 3), and white matter neuronal migration anomaly (n = 1). An additional 2 patients were diagnosed with brain abnormalities postnatally that had not been detected on prenatal imaging.
Conclusions:
The possibility of brain anomalies should be assessed in a fetus found to have CL/P or CP by sonography and/or MRI. Central nervous system imaging and careful neurodevelopmental follow-up is indicated in these infants.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Magnetic Resonance Imaging
01:21Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI
01:14Brain Imaging
These technologies include computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT scans), positron-emission tomography (PET scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
01:27Imaging Studies IV: Magnetic Resonance Imaging