Aim: To study the appearance, timing and evolution of infarction occurring in the territory of the middle cerebral artery (MCA).
Subjects: During a 5 year period, 15 infants admitted to a NICU, were diagnosed as having a MCA infartct, using serial cranial ultrasound(US).
Results: The main branch was involved in 5, all belonging to the more mature group. US diagnosis was made on day 1 and 2. Involvement of 1 or more of the lenticulostriate branches was found in 7 infants, all but one with a GA below 34 wks. An US diagnosis was made after day 4 in 6/7 cases. Cortical branches were involved in the remaining 3 cases.
Outcome: 2 infants died, 6 developed hemiplegia, 3 a mild asymmetry, 1 was globally delayed and 3 are normal on follow-up.
Conclusion: Infarcts in the region of the MCA can also occur in preterm infants and are then usually involving the lenticulostriate branches.
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de Vries, L., Eken, P., Groenendaal, F. et al. Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction in Preterm and Fullterm Neonates 244. Pediatr Res 40, 555 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199609000-00267
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199609000-00267