Original Article

Journal of Perinatology (2008) 28, 611–618; doi:10.1038/jp.2008.66; published online 10 July 2008

Can magnetic resonance spectroscopy predict neurodevelopmental outcome in very low birth weight preterm infants?

E M Augustine1,2,4, D M Spielman3, P D Barnes3, T L Sutcliffe2, J D Dermon3, M Mirmiran2, D B Clayton3 and R L Ariagno2,3

  1. 1Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
  2. 2Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
  3. 3Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA

Correspondence: Dr RL Ariagno, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, 750 Welch Road, Suite 315, Stanford, CA 94304-5731, USA. E-mail: rla@stanford.edu

4Current address: Pediatric Resident at Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, Stanford, CA, USA.

Received 28 November 2007; Revised 28 April 2008; Accepted 15 May 2008; Published online 10 July 2008.

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Abstract

Objective:

 

To determine if metabolite ratios at near-term age predict outcome in very low birth weight preterm infants at 18 to 24 months adjusted age.

Study Design:

 

Thirty-six infants (birth weight less than or equal to1510 g, gestational age less than or equal to32 weeks) were scanned at a postmenstrual age (PMA) of 35 to 43 weeks from July 2001 to September 2003. Multivoxel proton spectroscopic data were acquired and metabolite ratios were calculated in regions of the thalamus and basal ganglia. Bayley Scales of Infant Development were assessed between 18 and 24 months corrected age.

Result:

 

Metabolic ratios showed no significant correlation with developmental outcome. A correlation was seen between N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/choline (Ch) and PMA in thalamus and basal ganglia.

Conclusion:

 

Metabolite ratios from near-term proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) were not predictive of Bayley scores at 18 to 24 months adjusted age. There was a positive correlation between NAA/Ch and PMA, which supports previous work by others for the importance of developmental changes in the MRS with age.

Keywords:

very low birth weight preterm infant, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, neurodevelopmental outcome

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