WM injury is associated with different disabilities that children born prematurely may experience during their lives. The aim of this study was to use TBSS to test the hypothesis that WM ...microstructure at TEA in preterm infants is correlated with cognitive and motor outcome at 2-year corrected age.
Sixty-three preterm infants, born at a mean gestational age of 28.7 weeks, underwent MR imaging and DTI at TEA. Neurodevelopmental performance was assessed by using the BSITD-III. Voxelwise analysis of the DTI data was performed by using TBSS to assess the relationship among FA, AD, and RD at TEA, and cognitive, fine-motor, and gross-motor scores at 2-year corrected age.
Cognitive scores were correlated with FA values in the CC. Fine-motor scores were correlated with FA and RD throughout the WM. Gross-motor scores were associated with RD in the CC, fornix, and internal and external capsule.
WM microstructure in preterm infants at TEA was associated with cognitive, fine-motor, and gross-motor performance at 2-year corrected age. This study suggests that TBSS of DTI data at TEA has the potential to be used as a biomarker for subsequent neurodevelopment.
Aim: In this study, we determined whether outcome of preterm neonates has improved over a period of 16 years.
Study design: Inborn neonates with a gestational age of 25.0–29.9 weeks were included. ...Patients with severe congenital malformations were excluded. Mortality and morbidity (chronic lung disease; CLD, intraventricular haemorrhage: IVH grade III or IV, cystic periventricular leukomalacia: cPVL, perforated necrotizing enterocolitis: NEC, severe retinopathy of prematurity needing surgery: ROP and cerebral palsy: CP) were compared in three periods (period 1: 1991–1996 n = 434; period 2: 1997–2001 n = 356; period 3: 2002–2006 n = 422).
Results: Infant mortality decreased from 15.2% to 10.9%. CLD did not differ significantly between periods (14.1–14.8%). Perforated NEC decreased from 2.8% to 1.6%. IVH grade III and IV both remained at 5.7% in period 3, whereas cPVL decreased significantly from 4.5% to 1.6%. Cerebral palsy decreased from 5.8% to 3.5% in period 3. Two neonates in each period were in need of surgery for ROP.
Conclusion: Inborn preterm patients showed an improved survival and a significant reduction in cPVL and CP. Perforated NEC showed a trend to decrease. CLD and IVH grade III and IV remain a matter of concern.
To systematically examine gross motor development in the first 18 months of life of preterm infants.
A total of 800 preterm infants (356 boys), ages between 1 and 18 months and corrected for degree ...of prematurity, were assessed with the use of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale.
Comparison of the mean Alberta Infant Motor Scale scores of the preterm infants with the norm-referenced values derived from term infants revealed that as a group, the preterm infants scored significantly lower at all age levels, even with full correction for degree of prematurity.
In general, preterm infants exhibit different gross motor developmental trajectories compared with term infants in the first 18 months of life. The gross motor developmental profile of preterm infants may reflect a variant of typical gross motor development, which seems most likely to be specific for this population. As a consequence, adjusted norms should be used for proper evaluation and clinical decision-making in relation to preterm infants.
The aim of this study was to assess the additional value of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) compared to conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in new-born infants with ...arterial ischaemic stroke, with regard to the prediction of neurodevelopmental outcome.
Neonatal DW-MRI data were available in 15 infants with a gestational age of > or = 35 weeks and repeat MRI data were obtained in 12 of the 14 survivors. T(1)- and T(2)-weighted transverse images were obtained as well as 4-mm DWI slices. ADC maps were calculated in manually selected regions on the basis of the DWI scans. All 14 survivors were seen in the follow-up clinic and 12 were > 18 months when last seen.
T (2) hyperintensity was detected in the descending white matter tracts at the level of the internal capsule in 7 infants and in only one of these also at the level of the cerebral peduncles. Increased signal intensity (SI) was seen on DW-MRI in 8 infants in the descending white matter tract ipsilateral to the territorial infarct at the level of the internal capsule and in 5 of these also at the level of the cerebral peduncles. ADC maps were available in 12 infants. ADC values were calculated at the level of the cerebral peduncles, using the contralateral side as a reference value. A significantly reduced value was found in 3 of the 5 infants who showed an increased SI on DW-MRI. ADC maps were not available in the other two. Five of the seven infants with abnormalities on DW-MRI/ADC of the corticospinal tracts developed a mild to moderate hemiplegia, one showed an asymmetry of tone and one with only involvement of the anterior part of the internal capsule was normal at follow-up. Wallerian degeneration, seen at the level of the cerebral peduncles and/or the PLIC on the repeat MRI, was seen in the 5 infants who had shown acute changes of the corticospinal tracts in the neonatal period and who went on to develop motor sequelae.
Compared to MRI, DW-MRI and ADC maps provided additional, quantitative data of acute corticospinal tract injury at an early time point after the insult, especially at the level of the cerebral peduncles. The presence of increased SI on DW-MRI at the level of the PLIC and the cerebral peduncles in new-born infants with arterial ischaemic stroke is followed by Wallerian degeneration and subsequent development of hemiplegia.
Abstract Background Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants are at risk of cognitive impairment and follow-up is therefore of major importance. The age at which their neurodevelopmental outcome ...(NDO) can reliably be predicted differs in the literature. Aims To describe NDO at 2, 3.5 and 5.5 years in an ELBW cohort. To examine the value of NDO at 2 years corrected age (CA) for prediction of NDO at 3.5 and 5.5 years. Study design A r etrospective cross-sectional and longitudinal cohort study. Subjects 101 children with a BW ≤ 750 g, born between 1996 and 2005, who survived NICU admission and were included in a follow-up program. Outcome measures NDO, measured with different tests for general development and intelligence, depending on age of assessment and classified as normal (Z-score ≥ − 1), mildly delayed (− 2 ≤ Z-score < − 1) or severely delayed (Z-score < − 2). Results At 2, 3.5 and 5.5 years 74.3, 82.2 and 76.2% had a normal NDO. A normal NDO at 2 years CA predicted a normal NDO at 3.5 and 5.5 years in 92% and 84% respectively. Of the children with a mildly or severely delayed NDO at 2 years CA the majority showed an improved NDO at 3.5 (69.2%) and 5.5 years (65.4%) respectively. Conclusions The majority of the children with a BW ≤ 750 g had a normal NDO at all ages. A normal NDO at 2 years CA is a good predictor for normal outcome at 3.5 and 5.5 years, whereas a delayed NDO at 2 years CA is subject to change with the majority of the children showing a better NDO at 3.5 and 5.5 years.
AIMS To compare the ultrasound (US) evolution and neurodevelopmental outcome of infants with localised (grade II) and extensive (grade III) cystic periventricular leucomalacia (c-PVL). METHODS Over a ...nine year period, c-PVL was diagnosed in 96/3451 (2.8%) infants in two hospital cohorts. Eighteen were excluded from the study. Thirty nine infants with grade II PVL were compared with 39 infants with grade III PVL. RESULTS The two populations were comparable for gestational age and birth weight. In infants with grade II PVL, cysts were noted to develop more often after the first month of life (53%) in contrast with grade III PVL (22%) (odds ratio (OR) 3.81 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19 to 12.63)). Cysts were also more often unilateral in grade II (54%) than in grade III PVL (0%) (OR indefinite; RR 3.17 (95% CI 2.16 to 4.64)). At 40 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA), cysts were no longer seen on US in 13/38 infants with grade II PVL, with ventriculomegaly being the only visible sequel in nine cases. In grade III PVL, cysts were still present in 25 of the 27 surviving infants. Nine infants with grade II PVL were free of motor sequelae at follow up compared with one infant with grade III PVL (OR 8.07 (95% CI 0.92 to 181.66)). Twenty two out of 29 children with grade II PVL who developed cerebral palsy achieved independent walking compared with 3/26 with grade III PVL (OR 75 (95% CI 11.4 to 662)). CONCLUSIONS In the cohort studied, 50% of the infants with c-PVL had a more localised form (grade II). In grade II PVL, the cysts developed beyond the first month of life in more than half of the cases and were often no longer visible, on US, at 40 weeks PMA. In order not to miss this diagnosis, sequential US should also be performed beyond the first month of life. Mild ventriculomegaly noted at term can sometimes be due to grade II c-PVL. Cerebral palsy was slightly less common and tended to be less severe in infants with grade II PVL than in those with grade III PVL.
To assess the relationship between placental pathology, pattern of brain injury and neurodevelopmental outcome in term infants with perinatal asphyxia receiving therapeutic hypothermia.
Studies were ...performed in 76 infants. Death or survival with impairments at 18 to 24 months was used as a composite adverse outcome. Multivariable analysis was performed.
Among the 75 infants analyzed, the predominant pattern of brain injury was: no injury (n=27), a white matter/watershed pattern (n=14), basal-ganglia-thalamic injury (n=13) or near-total brain injury (n=21). An adverse outcome was seen in 35 of the 76 infants. Elevated nucleated red blood cells were associated with white matter involvement. Small placental infarcts were more common among infants without brain injury. All other placental abnormalities were not related to both outcome measures.
In our population of term infants receiving therapeutic hypothermia, no type of placental pathology was related to extensive brain injury or adverse neurodevelopmental outcome.
Background Reduced fetal middle cerebral artery Doppler impedance is associated with hypoxemia in fetal growth restriction. It remains unclear as to whether this finding could be useful in timing ...delivery, especially in the third trimester. In this regard there is a paucity of evidence from prospective studies. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between middle cerebral artery Doppler impedance and its ratio with the umbilical artery in relation to neonatal and 2 year infant outcome in early fetal growth restriction (26+0 –31+6 weeks of gestation). Additionally we sought to explore which ratio is more informative for clinical use. Study Design This is a secondary analysis from the Trial of Randomized Umbilical and Fetal Flow in Europe, a prospective, multicenter, randomized management study on different antenatal monitoring strategies (ductus venosus Doppler changes and computerized cardiotocography short-term variation) in fetal growth restriction diagnosed between 26+0 and 31+6 weeks. We analyzed women with middle cerebral artery Doppler measurement at study entry and within 1 week before delivery and with complete postnatal follow-up (374 of 503). The primary outcome was survival without neurodevelopmental impairment at 2 years corrected for prematurity. Neonatal outcome was defined as survival until first discharge home without severe neonatal morbidity. Z-scores were calculated for middle cerebral artery pulsatility index and both umbilicocerebral and cerebroplacental ratios. Odds ratios of Doppler parameter Z-scores for neonatal and 2 year infant outcome were calculated by multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for gestational age and birthweight p50 ratio. Results Higher middle cerebral artery pulsatility index at inclusion but not within 1 week before delivery was associated with neonatal survival without severe morbidity (odds ratio, 1.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.52). Middle cerebral artery pulsatility index Z-score and umbilicocerebral ratio Z-score at inclusion were associated with 2 year survival with normal neurodevelopmental outcome (odds ratio, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.72, and odds ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.78–0.99, respectively) as were gestation at delivery and birthweight p50 ratio (odds ratio, 1.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.20–1.66, and odds ratio, 1.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.33–2.60, respectively). When comparing cerebroplacental ratio against umbilicocerebral ratio, the incremental range of the cerebroplacental ratio tended toward zero, whereas the umbilicocerebral ratio tended toward infinity as the values became more abnormal. Conclusion In a monitoring protocol based on ductus venosus and cardiotocography in early fetal growth restriction (26+0 –31+6 weeks of gestation), the impact of middle cerebral artery Doppler and its ratios on outcome is modest and less marked than birthweight and delivery gestation. It is unlikely that middle cerebral artery Doppler and its ratios are informative in optimizing the timing of delivery in fetal growth restriction before 32 weeks of gestation. The umbilicocerebral ratio allows for a better differentiation in the abnormal range than the cerebroplacental ratio.
Aim: To examine the correlation between neonatal cranial ultrasound and school age magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurodevelopmental outcome. Methods: In a prospective 2 year cohort study, 221 ...children (gestational age ⩽32 weeks and/or birth weight ⩽1500 g) participated at a median age of 8.1 years (inclusion percentage 78%). Conventional MRI, IQ (subtests of the WISC), and motor performance (Movement Assessment Battery for Children) at school age were primary outcome measurements. Results: Overall, there was poor correspondence between ultrasound group classifications and MRI group classifications, except for the severe group (over 70% agreement). There was only a 1% chance of the children with a normal cranial ultrasound having a major lesion on MRI. Mean IQ (standard deviation) was significantly lower in children with major ultrasound or MRI lesions, but was also lower in children with minor lesions on MRI compared to children with a normal MRI (91±16, 100±13, 104±13 for major lesions, minor lesions, and normal MRI, respectively). Median total impairment score (TIS) was significantly higher in children with major lesions on ultrasound or MRI as well as in children with minor lesions on MRI (TIS 4.0 and 6.25 for normal and minor lesions on MRI, respectively; p<0.0001). Conclusions: A normal neonatal cranial ultrasound excluded a severe lesion on MRI in 99% of cases. MRI correlated more strongly with mean IQ and median TIS than ultrasound. Subtle white matter lesions are better detected with MRI which could explain the stronger correlation of MRI with IQ and motor performance.
To describe 2-year neurodevelopmental outcome (NDO) in a cohort of extremely low birthweight infants, and compare NDO between two consecutive 5-year periods and between appropriate (AGA, ≥p10) and ...small for gestational age (SGA, <p10) infants.
Retrospective cohort study.
Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
146 children, born between 1996 and 2005, with a birth weight ≤750 g and a gestational age ≥24 weeks, admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. 111 children (76%) survived the neonatal period.
At 2 years corrected age, 101 children (cohort I: born in 1996-2000, n=45 and cohort II: born in 2001-2005, n=56) were assessed with either the Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales or the Mental Scale of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, second edition.
NDO, classified as normal (≤-1 Z score ≥0), mildly delayed (>-1 Z score ≤-2) or severely delayed (Z score >-2).
74.3% of the children had a normal NDO at 2 years corrected age, 20.8% a mildly and 5% a severely delayed outcome. Although survival significantly increased with time (65.8% to 88.1%, p=0.002), significantly fewer children in cohort II (66.1% vs 84.4% in cohort I, p=0.042) as well as fewer SGA children (64.3% vs 86.7% of AGA children, p=0.012) had a normal NDO.
Increased survival of infants with a birth weight ≤750 g coincided with more children with an impaired NDO at 2 years corrected age. SGA infants are especially at risk of impaired NDO.
PDF
