Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
State of the Art Cranial Ultrasound Imaging in Neonates
Published on: February 2, 2015
Advances in imaging the neonatal brain
1Neonatal Unit, Box 226, The Rosie Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK +01223 217677 ; topun.austin@addenbrookes.nhs.uk.
Insights
Newborn brain imaging, including ultrasound and MRI, is crucial for understanding and managing brain injuries. Advanced techniques are vital for assessing neurodevelopmental outcomes and guiding new therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neurology
- Medical imaging
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
Background:
- Newborn brain injury is a significant cause of mortality and long-term disability.
- The neonatal brain possesses a notable capacity for repair despite vulnerability to various insults.
- Brain imaging has transformed the understanding of perinatal brain injury etiology, pathophysiology, and prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current clinical imaging methodologies for perinatal brain injury.
- To describe emerging imaging techniques in research and clinical practice.
- To highlight the importance of imaging in managing neonatal brain injury.
Main Methods:
- Review of established clinical imaging modalities, primarily ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Description of novel clinical and research techniques utilizing diverse imaging modalities.
- Synthesis of information on the role of imaging in perinatal brain injury.
Main Results:
- Conventional brain imaging is integral to neonatal care.
- Advanced imaging technologies offer potential for correlating brain structure with function.
- Emerging imaging techniques promise new insights into developing brain function.
Conclusions:
- Brain imaging is essential for diagnosing and monitoring neonatal brain injury.
- Future imaging technologies will enhance the understanding of brain structure-function relationships.
- Imaging serves as a critical early biomarker for neuroprotective therapy trials.
Introduction:
Brain injury in the newborn is a major cause of death and lifelong disability. The newborn brain is vulnerable to injury from a variety of causes, including hypoxia-ischaemia, haemorrhage and infection, yet has a remarkable capacity for repair. New neuroprotective therapies are being developed that have the potential to improve neurodevelopmental outcome in this vulnerable population. Brain imaging has revolutionised our understanding of the aetiology, pathophysiology and prognosis of damage in both term and preterm infants.
Areas Covered:
This paper reviews the main clinical imaging methodologies, principally ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, and describes new clinical and research techniques being developed using a range of imaging modalities. This paper provides an overview of perinatal brain injury and the importance of imaging in the management of these patients.
Expert Opinion:
Conventional brain imaging is important in neonatal care. However, the challenge is to correlate brain structure with function, and new technologies will provide new insights into the function of the developing brain. Imaging is also going to play a key role as an early biomarker facilitating trials of new neuroprotective therapies.
