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Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Patients with Developmental Delay in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tewodros Endale Balcha1, Abebe Mekonnen Woldeyohannes1, Getachew Assefa Neknek1
1Department of Radiology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Insights
Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is crucial for diagnosing developmental delay. This study found that 73.2% of patients had abnormal brain MRI results, with neurovascular insults being the most common finding.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroradiology
Background:
- Developmental delay is a significant global health concern leading to individual disability.
- While clinical evaluation is primary, neuroimaging like brain MRI is essential for diagnosis.
- This study focuses on brain MRI patterns in children with developmental delay.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the patterns observed in brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) among patients presenting with developmental delay.
- To identify common neuroimaging findings associated with developmental delay.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 164 patients evaluated for developmental delay using brain MRI.
- Data collected from March to November 2021 at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital and a private diagnostic center.
- Review of clinical history and MRI reports from medical records.
Main Results:
- Out of 164 patients, 120 (73.2%) exhibited abnormal brain MRI findings.
- Neurovascular insults were the most frequent abnormality, present in 75 (45.7%) patients.
- Congenital and developmental abnormalities were observed in 20 (12.2%) patients.
Conclusions:
- Brain MRI is a vital tool in the diagnostic workup of developmental delay.
- MRI findings can provide evidence for the etiology of developmental delay, particularly perinatal insults and malformations.
Background:
Developmental delay is a major health problem throughout the world causing significant individual disability. Even though physical examination and patient history are the most important and basic evaluations of patients with developmental delay, additional investigations are usually required in supporting or reaching a diagnosis among which is neuroimaging. This study aims to assess brain Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) patterns in patients presented with developmental delay.
Method:
A retrospective analysis of 164 patients who had undergone brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) evaluation for the developmental delay was done. The study was conducted between March to November 2021 G.C at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH). The patients' clinical history and magnetic resonance imaging reports were reviewed from their medical records. All patients with developmental delay who had brain MRI evaluation at TASH and at one private diagnostic center in Addis Ababa were included in the study.
Results:
A total of 164 patients were included in this study of which 95(57.9%) were male and 69(42.1%) female patients were seen. A total of 120 patients (73.2%) showed abnormal brain MRI studies. Previous neurovascular insults were the most common abnormalities seen in 75(45.7%) patients followed by imaging findings of congenital and developmental abnormalities seen in 20(12.2%) patients.
Conclusion:
Brain MRI is an important input in the evaluation of patients with developmental delay. It can give evidence for the cause of developmental delay, especially in the diagnosis of perinatal/hypoxic-ischemic insults, and congenital and developmental malformations.
