Early Versus Late Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging after Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Treated with Therapeutic Hypothermia

J Pediatr. 2021 May:232:73-79.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.01.050. Epub 2021 Jan 28.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the agreement in brain injury findings between early and late magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in newborn infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy treated with therapeutic hypothermia and to compare the ability of early vs late MRI to predict early neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Study design: This was a prospective longitudinal study of 49 patients with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy who underwent therapeutic hypothermia and had MRI performed at both <7 and ≥7 days of age. MRIs were reviewed by an experienced neuroradiologist and assigned brain injury severity scores according to established systems. Scores for early and late MRIs were assessed for agreement using the kappa statistic. The ability of early and late MRI scores to predict death or developmental delay at 15-30 months of age was assessed by logistic regression analyses.

Results: Agreement between the early and late MRI was substantial to near perfect (k > 0.75, P < .001) across MRI scoring systems. In cases of discrepant scoring, early MRI was more likely to identify severe injury when compared with late MRI. Early MRI scores were more consistently predictive of adverse outcomes compared with late MRI.

Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that a single MRI performed in the first week after birth is adequate to assess brain injury and offer prognostic information in this high-risk population.

Keywords: brain injury; magnetic resonance imaging; neonatal encephalopathy; neonatal intensive care.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Brain / diagnostic imaging*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypothermia, Induced
  • Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / complications*
  • Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / therapy
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies