Neuropediatrics 2006; 37(6): 337-343
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-964869
Original Article

Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Serial Quantitative Diffusion Tensor MRI of the Term Neonates with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)

G. K. Malik1 , R. Trivedi2 , R. K. Gupta2 , K. M. Hasan3 , M. Hasan1 , A. Gupta1 , C. M. Pandey4 , P. A. Narayana3
  • 1Department of Pediatrics, King George Medical University, Lucknow, UP, India
  • 2Department of Radiodiagnosis, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, UP, India
  • 3Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Fannin, Houston, Texas, USA
  • 4Department of Biostatistics, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, UP, India
Further Information

Publication History

Received: June 3, 2006

Accepted after Revision: January 3, 2007

Publication Date:
14 March 2007 (online)

Abstract

Aim: To determine the altered pattern of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) change in brain parenchyma in serially studied neonates with mild or moderate hypoxic ischemic injury (HIE) within 7 days after birth and again at the age of three months. Methods: Serial diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed at two-time points in term neonates with mild (n = 7) and moderate (n = 10) HIE and age/sex-matched controls (n = 7). Neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed at the time of the 2nd study. Results: On comparing FA and MD changes over time using two-way analysis of variance between neonates with HIE and controls, we observed significant differences in age-related FA increase (p < 0.05) in anterior limb of internal capsule and periventricular white matter of parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes. Significant differences in age-related MD decrease (p < 0.05) was observed in the caudate nuclei, and temporal white matter among these groups. Significant positive correlation was observed between neurodevelopmental outcome and FA. Conclusion: The results suggest that abnormal FA and MD values help in early and more accurate assessment of microstructural damage in HIE that may have predictive value for long-term neurofunctional outcome in these neonates.

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Professor Dr. M.D. Rakesh K. Gupta

MR Section
Department of Radiodiagnosis
Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences

Lucknow, UP

India-226014

Email: rakeshree@hotmail.com; rgupta@sgpgi.ac.in