Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026
Making MR Imaging Child's Play - Pediatric Neuroimaging Protocol, Guidelines and Procedure
Published on: July 30, 2009
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation of developmental delay in pediatric patients
Althaf S Ali1, Naziya P Syed2, G S N Murthy3
1Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, Deccan College of Medical Sciences , Hyderabad, Telangana, India .
Insights
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is crucial for diagnosing developmental delay in Indian children, revealing abnormalities in 68% of cases. This imaging technique aids in early detection, treatment, and parental counseling for affected families.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Developmental delay significantly impacts children's growth and requires thorough investigation.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the gold standard for evaluating pediatric developmental delay.
- Early diagnosis and intervention are vital for improving outcomes and providing parental support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of normal and abnormal MRI findings in Indian children with developmental delay.
- To categorize abnormal MRI findings based on morphological characteristics and etiological subgroups.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, observational study involving 81 pediatric patients (3 months to 12 years) with developmental delay.
- MRI Brain scans were performed using 1.5T and 0.35T scanners with standardized sequences.
- Systematic assessment of anatomical structures, including ventricles and corpus callosum, followed by etiological classification.
Main Results:
- Abnormal MRI findings were observed in 68% of the pediatric patients.
- The most common causes of abnormalities included Traumatic/Neurovascular Diseases (31%) and Congenital & Developmental issues (17%).
- Ventricles and white matter, particularly the corpus callosum, were frequently affected; diagnostic yield was 68%.
Conclusions:
- MRI is an effective diagnostic tool for identifying the causes of developmental delay in children.
- Abnormal MRI findings necessitate further investigation into underlying etiological factors.
- Utilizing MRI facilitates accurate diagnosis, targeted treatment, and informed parental counseling.
Introduction:
Developmental delay is defined as significant delay in one or more developmental domains. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the best modality to investigate such patients. Evaluation of a child with developmental delay is important not only because it allows early diagnosis and treatment but also helpful for parental counseling regarding the outcome of their child and to identify any possible risk of recurrence in the siblings. Thus this study was undertaken to evaluate the developmental delay in Indian children which will help the clinicians in providing an estimation of the child's ultimate developmental potential and organize specific treatment requirement and also relieve parental apprehension.
Aims And Objectives:
To study the prevalence of normal and abnormal MRI in pediatric patients presenting with developmental delay and further categorize the abnormal MRI based on its morphological features.
Materials And Methods:
It is a prospective, observational & descriptive study of MRI Brain in 81 paediatric patients (46 Males and 35 Females), aged between three months to 12 years; presenting with developmental delay in Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad; over a period of three years (Sept 2011 to Sept 2014). MRI brain was done on 1.5T Siemens Magnetom Essenza & 0.35T Magnetom C with appropriate sequences and planes after making the child sleep/sedated/ anesthetized. Various anatomical structures like Ventricles, Corpus callosum, etc were systematically assessed. The MRI findings were divided into various aetiological subgroups.
Results:
Normal MRI findings were seen in 32% cases and 68% had abnormal findings of which the proportion of Traumatic/ Neurovascular Diseases, Congenital & Developmental, Metabolic and Degenerative, neoplastic and non specific were 31%, 17%, 10%, 2.5% and 7.5% respectively. The ventricles and white matter mainly the corpus callosum were the most commonly affected anatomical structures. The diagnostic yield was found to be 68% and higher yield was seen in patients presenting with developmental delay plus.
Conclusion:
The clinical diagnosis of developmental delay should not be the end point, but rather a springboard for an effective search for causal factors. MRI is the best investigation with a high yield in such patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Magnetic Resonance Imaging
01:27Imaging Studies IV: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
01:21Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI
01:14Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...