AUTHOR=Chen Shyi-Jou , Hu Chih-Fen , Tien Chiung-Hsi , Chen Cheng-Yu 

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

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2021.770908

DOI=10.3389/fneur.2021.770908

ISSN=1664-2295

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> To investigate whether serial morphometric measurements of the brainstem using high resolution trans-foramen-magnum ultrasound (US) in premature neonates correlate with neurological outcomes.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Serial brain ultrasound scans were performed in 36 consecutive preterm infants born at &lt;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.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> 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.</p><p><bold>Conclusions:</bold> 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.</p>