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Volumetric MRI Study of the Brain in Fetuses with Intrauterine Cytomegalovirus Infection and Its Correlation to
A Grinberg1,2, E Katorza3,2, D Hoffman3,2
1From the Antenatal Diagnostic Unit (A.G., E.K., D.H., R.B., S.L.), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Anya.grinberg1@gmail.com.
Background And Purpose:
In recent years, effort has been made to study 3D biometry as a method for fetal brain assessment. In this study, we aimed to compare brain volumes of fetuses with cytomegalovirus infection and noninfected controls. Also, we wanted to assess whether there is a correlation to their neurodevelopmental outcome as observed after several years.
Materials And Methods:
A retrospective cohort study examined MR imaging brain scans of 42 fetuses (at 30-34 weeks' gestational age) that were diagnosed with intrauterine cytomegalovirus infection. Volumetric measurements of 6 structures were assessed using a semiautomated designated program and were compared with a control group of 50 fetuses. Data collected included prenatal history and MR imaging and sonographic and neurodevelopmental follow-up.
Results:
We found that all brain volumes measured were smaller in the cytomegalovirus-infected group and that there was a correlation between smaller cerebellar volume and lower Vineland II Adaptive Behavior Scales questionnaire scores, especially in the fields of daily living and communication skills.
Conclusions:
In this study, we found that brain volumes are affected by intrauterine cytomegalovirus infection and that it has a developmental prognostic meaning. Such information, which should be supported by further research, may help clinicians further analyze imaging data to treat and make a better assessment of these fetuses.
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