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Clinical impact of term-equivalent magnetic resonance imaging in extremely low-birth-weight infants at a regional NICU

Journal of Perinatology volume 36, pages 985–989 (2016)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the clinical impact of routine term-equivalent magnetic resonance imaging (TE-MRI) for extremely low-birth-weight infants at a regional neonatal intensive care unit.

Study Design:

This is a single-center retrospective study evaluating preterm survivors who underwent TE-MRI. MRI abnormalities were compared between infants with and without cranial ultrasonography (CUS) abnormalities. Cost analysis comparing imaging modalities was also performed.

Results:

TE-MRI use increased from 17% in 2006 to 76% in 2010. MRI detected new findings in nearly half of infants, whether or not they had known ultrasound abnormalities. MRI detected more cerebellar (18% vs 6%, P=0.04) and moderate white matter injury (12% vs 7%, P<0.001), and altered simulated neurological prognosis across developmental domains. The cost of TE-MRI was $1600, which was comparable to serial CUSs.

Conclusion:

TE-MRI detects new abnormalities and impacts developmental prognosis in the extremely low birth weight, which supports its use despite the added financial cost.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neonatology, Children’s National Health System, Washington, DC, USA

    L Melbourne & A N Massaro

  2. Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA

    L Melbourne, T Chang, J Murnick, P Glass & A N Massaro

  3. Department of Neurology, Children’s National Health System, Washington, DC, USA

    T Chang

  4. Division of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children’s National Health System, Washington, DC, USA

    J Murnick

  5. Children’s Hospitals Association, Overland Park, Kansas, USA

    I Zaniletti

  6. Division of Psychology and Behavioral Health, Children’s National Health System, Washington, DC, USA

    P Glass

Authors
  1. L Melbourne
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Correspondence to A N Massaro.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Melbourne, L., Chang, T., Murnick, J. et al. Clinical impact of term-equivalent magnetic resonance imaging in extremely low-birth-weight infants at a regional NICU. J Perinatol 36, 985–989 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2016.116

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2016.116

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