Related Experiment Videos
Ultrasound evolution and later outcome of infants with periventricular densities
L S De Vries1, R Regev, J M Pennock
1Department of Paediatrics and Neonatal Medicine, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, U.K.
Insights
Transient periventricular densities in infants, identified via ultrasound, are linked to later neurological issues like spastic diplegia and dystonia. These findings suggest a milder form of periventricular leukomalacia.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neurology
- Pediatric imaging
- Developmental neuroscience
Background:
- Transient periventricular densities are observed in neonatal brain ultrasounds.
- The long-term neurodevelopmental implications of these findings require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the evolution of transient periventricular densities on ultrasound.
- To compare the neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants with transient periventricular densities versus those with normal scans.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of ultrasound findings in 59 infants.
- Neurodevelopmental outcome assessment in 53 infants with transient densities and 92 with normal scans.
- Correlation of imaging characteristics (persistence, location) with outcomes.
- Confirmatory postmortem and MRI studies in select cases.
Main Results:
- Infants with transient periventricular densities had a significantly higher incidence of spastic diplegia and transient dystonia compared to controls (P < 0.001).
- Persistence of densities >10 days and trigonal involvement were associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- Postmortem and MRI findings supported transient periventricular densities as a milder manifestation of periventricular leukomalacia.
Conclusions:
- Transient periventricular densities on neonatal ultrasound are associated with an increased risk of neurological deficits.
- Specific ultrasound characteristics can predict poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- These findings represent a spectrum of periventricular leukomalacia, crucial for early identification and intervention.
Abstract:
The evolution of ultrasound findings in 59 infants with transient periventricular densities is described and the neurodevelopmental outcome of 53 of these infants was compared with 92 of 107 infants with normal ultrasound scans, born during the same 24-month period. Four of the 53 infants with transient periventricular densities developed spastic diplegia and 24 developed transient dystonia, whereas only 8 of the 92 children with normal ultrasound scans demonstrated this finding (P less than 0.001). Persistence of the densities for more than 10 days and the presence of densities in the trigone were especially related with subsequent problems. Postmortem findings in two infants and MRI studies in six infants also suggested that transient periventricular densities represent the milder end of the spectrum of periventricular leukomalacia.