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Cerebral MRI findings in very-low-birth-weight and small-for-gestational-age children at 15 years of age

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Abstract

Background: A high prevalence of abnormal cerebral MRI findings has been reported in low-birth-weight children. Objective: To compare MRI findings in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) and term small-for-gestational-age (SGA) children with controls in early adolescence. Materials and methods: Cerebral MRI was used to examine 55 VLBW, 54 SGA and 66 controls at 15 years of age. The MR images were qualitatively assessed, and size of ventricles, white-matter and grey-matter abnormalities were reported. Results: The VLBW teenagers had a higher prevalence of various MRI abnormalities than SGA children and controls. Dilation of the ventricular system, especially of the occipital horns, was found in 82% of the VLBW group, in 19% of the SGA group and in 21% of controls. White-matter reduction was found in 53% of the VLBW, in 6% of the SGA and in 2% of controls. Corpus callosum thinning was found in 47% of the VLBW, in 2% of the SGA and in 6% of controls. Periventricular gliosis was found in 29% of the VLBW, in 4% of the SGA and in 8% of controls. Conclusions: Cerebral MRI pathology in white matter is a common finding in VLBW teenagers. The findings may indicate minor perinatal PVL with resulting loss of white-matter tissue and ventricular dilation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children’s and Women’s Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Jon S. Skranes & Ann-Mari Brubakk

  2. Department of Circulation and Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Marit Martinussen, Olaug Smevik & Gunnar Myhr

  3. Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Marit Indredavik

  4. Department of Community Medicine and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Torstein Vik

Authors
  1. Jon S. Skranes
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  2. Marit Martinussen
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  3. Olaug Smevik
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  4. Gunnar Myhr
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  5. Marit Indredavik
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  6. Torstein Vik
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  7. Ann-Mari Brubakk
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Correspondence to Jon S. Skranes.

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Skranes, J.S., Martinussen, M., Smevik, O. et al. Cerebral MRI findings in very-low-birth-weight and small-for-gestational-age children at 15 years of age. Pediatr Radiol 35, 758–765 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-005-1446-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-005-1446-2

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