Echogenicity changes in the fetal brain, a 6-year follow-up study. (July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rosier-van Dunné, F. M. F.; van Wezel-Meijler, G.; de Groot, L.; van Zyl, J. I.; Odendaal, H. J.; de Vries, J. I. P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine. Volume 26:Number 10(2013:Oct.)
• Page Start: 1036
• Page End: 1041
• Publication Date: 2013-07
• Subjects: Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Perinatology -- Periodicals; Infants (Newborn) -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neonatology -- Periodicals; 618.2
• DOI: 10.3109/14767058.2013.766693
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-7058

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Objective</italic>: To asses the relation between echogenicity changes in the fetal brain and neurodevelopmental outcome until 6 years of age.</p> <p> <italic>Methods</italic>: Fetuses (<italic>n</italic> = 124) from pregnancies affected by hypertensive disorders (<italic>n</italic> = 64) or preterm labor (<italic>n</italic> = 60) at risk for preterm birth (26–34 weeks gestation) were studied. Moderate echogenicity changes (periventricular grade IB, II; intraventricular grade II–III; local basal ganglia/thalami) in the fetal and neonatal brain were related to neurological outcome and Griffiths mental developmental scales quotients at 1, 2 and 6 years. Multiple regression analysis tested the influence of moderate echogenicity changes and perinatal clinical characteristics on composite outcome (death or abnormal neurodevelopment).</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: Moderate echogenicity changes were present in 37/124 (30%) fetuses. Median gestational age and weight at birth were respectively 31 weeks (range 26–43), 1314 g (range 550–4330), mortality was 19%, follow-up loss 10%. Composite outcome was abnormal in 47/124 (38%). Fetal and neonatal moderate intraventricular echodensities were related to cerebral palsy at 6 years (<italic>p</italic> < 0.04). In the multiple regression analysis only gestational age was related to composite outcome (<italic>p</italic> = 0.005).</p> <p> <italic>Conclusions</italic>: Moderate intraventricular echodensities in the fetal brain related to cerebral palsy at 6 years of age. Gestational age at birth was the main predictor of abnormal composite outcome.</p> </abstract>