Comparison of preterm and term equivalent age MRI for the evaluation of preterm brain injury
A Malhotra1,2,3, M C Fahey2,3, M Davies-Tuck2
1Monash Newborn, Monash Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Insights
Preterm magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) effectively assesses brain injury in premature infants. Findings from preterm MRI scans closely correlate with those taken at term equivalent age, offering comparable data.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neurology
- Pediatric radiology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Premature infants are at high risk for brain injury.
- Cranial ultrasound is commonly used but may have limitations.
- Assessing brain injury accurately is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the diagnostic information from preterm magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans with scans performed at term equivalent age.
- To evaluate the feasibility and comparability of preterm MRI for assessing brain injury in premature infants.
Main Methods:
- A prospective observational study was conducted on premature infants with suspected or confirmed parenchymal brain injury on cranial ultrasound.
- Brain injury was scored using a standardized system on two MRI scans: one preterm (31-34 weeks) and one at term equivalent age.
- Data from the two scans were analyzed for correlation and agreement.
Main Results:
- Fourteen premature infants (median gestation 28 weeks) were included.
- A strong correlation (Spearman ρ=0.87, P=0.001) was found between brain injury scores from the two MRI scans.
- Excellent agreement was observed between radiologists (interclass correlation coefficient 0.9-0.94) and high agreement between preterm and term MRI scores (Intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.79).
Conclusions:
- Preterm magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a feasible method for assessing brain injury in premature infants.
- Data analysis from preterm MRI scans provides comparable information to scans performed at term equivalent age.
- Preterm MRI can aid in early detection and management of brain injury in this vulnerable population.
Objective:
To compare information obtained from preterm magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; 31-34 weeks) brain scan to that done at term equivalent age.
Study Design:
Prospective observational study of premature infants with evidence or suspicion of parenchymal brain injury on cranial ultrasound. Brain injury on two scans scored using a scoring system and analyzed.
Results:
Fourteen infants with a median (range) gestation at birth of 28 (25-29) weeks and birth weight of 1254 (680-1557) grams were studied. There was a strong correlation between the brain injury scores for the two scans (Spearman ρ=0.87, P=0.001) with excellent agreement between two radiologists (interclass correlation coefficient 0.9-0.94). There was also a high level of agreement between the preterm and term MRI two scores (Intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.79 (0.53-0.94)).
Conclusions:
Preterm MRI is a feasible option for the assessment of preterm brain injury and analysis of data obtained from scan at preterm age is comparable to that obtained at term equivalent age.
