Article

AIM: To determine whether corpus callosum (CC) and corticospinal tract (CST)
diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measures relate to developmental outcome in
encephalopathic newborn infants after therapeutic hypothermia. METHOD:
Encephalopathic newborn infants enrolled in a longitudinal study underwent DTI
after hypothermia. Parametric maps were generated for fractional anisotropy,
mean, radial, and axial diffusivity. CC and CST were segmented by DTI-based
tractography. Multiple regression models were used to examine the association of
DTI measures with Bayley-II Mental (MDI) and Psychomotor Developmental Index
(PDI) at 15 months and 21 months of age. RESULTS: Fifty-two infants (males n=32,
females n=20) underwent DTI at median age of 8 days. Two were excluded because of
poor magnetic resonance imaging quality. Outcomes were assessed in 42/50 (84%)
children at 15 months and 35/50 (70%) at 21 months. Lower CC and CST fractional
anisotropy were associated with lower MDI and PDI respectively, even after
controlling for gestational age, birth weight, sex, and socio-economic status.
There was also a direct relationship between CC axial diffusivity and MDI, while
CST radial diffusivity was inversely related to PDI. INTERPRETATION: In
encephalopathic newborn infants, impaired microstructural organization of the CC
and CST predicts poorer cognitive and motor performance respectively.
Tractography provides a reliable method for early assessment of perinatal brain
injury.
CI - (c) 2014 Mac Keith Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS