MRI and spectroscopy in (near) term neonates with perinatal asphyxia and therapeutic hypothermia

Thomas Alderliesten, Linda S de Vries, Liza Staats, Ingrid C van Haastert, Lauren Weeke, Manon J N L Benders, Corine Koopman-Esseboom, Floris Groenendaal*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated the association of abnormalities on diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) in infants with perinatal asphyxia. The use of therapeutic hypothermia might change this association.

AIM: To study the association between DW-MRI and (1)H-MRS and outcome after perinatal asphyxia and therapeutic hypothermia in infants with a gestational age of ≥36 weeks.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Infants with perinatal asphyxia and therapeutic hypothermia (n=88) were included when an MR examination was performed within 7 days after birth. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the basal ganglia and thalamus were calculated, as were lactate/N-acetylaspartate (LAC/NAA) and N-acetylaspartate/choline (NAA/Cho) ratios. Death or an abnormal neurodevelopment at ≥24 months was considered an adverse outcome. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine cut-off levels.

RESULTS: Of the 88 infants, 22 died and 7 had an adverse neurodevelopmental outcome. In infants with an adverse outcome, ADC values of the basal ganglia and thalamus were significantly lower, and Lac/NAA ratios were significantly higher than in infants with a normal outcome. Areas under the curve of ADC of the basal ganglia, thalami and Lac/NAA ratio were 0.89, 0.88 and 0.87, respectively. NAA/Cho ratios were in this cohort not associated with outcome.

CONCLUSIONS: During and after therapeutic hypothermia, low ADC values and high Lac/NAA ratios of the basal ganglia and thalamus are associated with an adverse outcome in infants with perinatal asphyxia.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)F147-F152
JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood Fetal and Neonatal Edition
Volume102
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2017

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