Corpus Callosum Size on Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Its Association With Developmental Delays in Children: A...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pediatric Radiology
• Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

• Developmental delay (DD) is a complex condition with varied presentations.
• The corpus callosum (CC), crucial for interhemispheric communication, has an unclear association with DD.
• Limited research exists on CC thickness variations in children with DD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the thickness of CC regions in children with and without DD using MRI.
• To investigate specific CC subdivisions associated with developmental delays.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case-control study of 70 children (2-6 years old).
• 35 children with DD and 35 age-matched controls.
• CC thickness measured on mid-sagittal T1-weighted MRI using Witelson's method.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in mean CC thickness between children with and without DD (p < 0.005).
• Most pronounced differences observed in the splenium, anterior body, and genu.
• Language delay correlated with thinner genu and splenium (p = 0.013).

Conclusions:

• Corpus callosal thinning is associated with pediatric developmental delays.
• MRI findings of a thin CC warrant further evaluation for DD.
• CC thickness may serve as a potential imaging biomarker for DD.