An MRI system for imaging neonates in the NICU: initial feasibility study

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Neonatal Care
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Transporting premature infants from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for MRI poses significant medical risks and logistical challenges.
• Current practices necessitate moving vulnerable neonates to radiology departments, increasing potential complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a compact 1.5-Tesla (T) MRI system specifically designed for neonatal imaging within the NICU.
• To assess the system's performance using a sheep model simulating human prematurity.

Main Methods:

• An orthopedic 1.5-T MRI system was adapted for neonatal applications.
• MRI scans of the brain, chest, and abdomen were performed on 12 premature lambs within hours of birth.
• Images acquired using spin-echo, fast spin-echo, and gradient-echo sequences were reviewed by pediatric radiologists.

Main Results:

• All lambs remained physiologically stable during MRI examinations.
• High-quality MRI scans with excellent spatial resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, and tissue contrast were achieved within 30 minutes.
• The system successfully imaged brain, chest, and abdominal regions in multiple time points.

Conclusions:

• The developed neonatal MRI system demonstrates feasibility for providing advanced imaging capabilities directly in the NICU.
• This in-situ MRI approach offers reduced costs, lower acoustic noise, and enhanced safety for neonates.
• The system minimizes medical risks associated with infant transport for diagnostic imaging.