Sonographic Measurement of Brainstem Through the Foramen Magnum in Premature Neonates Can Predict Neurodevelopment Outcome?

Overview

Journal Front Neurol

Specialty Neurology

Date 2022 Jan 10

PMID 35002924

Authors

Shyi-Jou Chen

Chih-Fen Hu

Chiung-Hsi Tien

Cheng-Yu Chen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

To investigate whether serial morphometric measurements of the brainstem using high resolution trans-foramen-magnum ultrasound (US) in premature neonates correlate with neurological outcomes. Serial brain ultrasound scans were performed in 36 consecutive preterm infants born at <34 weeks of gestation from birth until term-equivalent age. Two-dimensional brainstem measurements of the pons and medulla oblongata were compared with those in a cohort of 67 healthy full-term newborns. Neurologic assessment of the premature infants was assessed at 5 years of age. Of the 36 preterm infants born between 25 and 34 weeks of gestation, eight had significantly delayed growth profiles in both the pons and medulla and developed neurological sequelae by 5 years of age. Morphometric measurements of the developing brainstem using high resolution trans-foramen-magnum ultrasound (US) may help predict neurological outcome in high-risk neonates, particularly in those who are born extremely premature.

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