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Developmental features of the brain in preterm and fullterm infants on MR imaging
Y Konishi1, K Hayakawa, M Kuriyama
1Department of Pediatrics, Fukui Medical School, Japan.
Insights
This study compared brain development in preterm and fullterm infants using MR imaging. No significant differences were found in myelination or key brain structure sizes between the groups.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Pediatric Radiology
Background:
- Assessing normal brain development is crucial for identifying deviations.
- Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging offers detailed insights into brain maturation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate normal brain development and maturation in preterm and fullterm infants.
- To compare myelination patterns and dimensions of specific brain structures.
Main Methods:
- MR imaging was performed on infants at 37-44 weeks postmenstrual age.
- Key structures assessed included the pituitary gland, corpus callosum, pons, and cerebellar vermis.
- Infants with cerebral injuries were also imaged to identify abnormal findings.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in myelination stages or structure dimensions were observed between low-risk preterm and fullterm infants.
- Common abnormal findings in infants with cerebral injuries included T2-weighted hyperintensities and delayed myelination.
Conclusions:
- Normal brain development and maturation appear comparable between low-risk preterm and fullterm infants by 37-44 weeks postmenstrual age.
- MR imaging is effective in detecting abnormal myelination and cerebral injuries in infants.
Abstract:
Normal development and maturation in pre- and postnatal periods were studied using MR imaging. For this purpose, we performed MR imaging at a postmenstrual age of 37-44 weeks in both low-risk preterm and fullterm infants and assessed the myelination pattern and the dimension of the pituitary gland, corpus callosum, pons and cerebellar vermis. There were no differences in stages of myelination and the size of these structures in both groups. MR imaging was also performed in infants with various cerebral injuries. Focal or diffuse areas of hyperintensity on T2-weighted images and delayed myelination were the commonly observed abnormal findings in these infants.