Volumetric MRI study of the brain in fetuses with intrauterine cytomegalovirus infection and its correlation to neurodevelopmental outcome

A. Grinberg*, E. Katorza, D. Hoffman, R. Ber, A. Mayer, S. Lipitz

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In recent years, effort has been made to study 3D biometry as a method for fetal brain assessment. In this study, we aimed to compare brain volumes of fetuses with cytomegalovirus infection and noninfected controls. Also, we wanted to assess whether there is a correlation to their neurodevelopmental outcome as observed after several years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study examined MR imaging brain scans of 42 fetuses (at 30 -34 weeks' gestational age) that were diagnosed with intrauterine cytomegalovirus infection. Volumetric measurements of 6 structures were assessed using a semiautomated designated program and were compared with a control group of 50 fetuses. Data collected included prenatal history and MR imaging and sonographic and neurodevelopmental follow-up. RESULTS: Wefound that all brain volumes measured were smaller in the cytomegalovirus-infected group and that there was a correlation between smaller cerebellar volume and lower Vineland II Adaptive Behavior Scales questionnaire scores, especially in the fields of daily living and communication skills. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found that brain volumes are affected by intrauterine cytomegalovirus infection and that it has a developmental prognostic meaning. Such information, which should be supported by further research, may help clinicians further analyze imaging data to treat and make a better assessment of these fetuses.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)353-358
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican Journal of Neuroradiology
Volume40
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Feb 2019

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