Neonatal asphyxia: early MRI findings and its correlation with prognosis

Objective: To investigate the early MRI findings of neonatal asphyxia and its correlation with prognosis. Methods: Early MRI findings of neonatal asphyxia in 80 cases and follow-up MRI findings in 26 cases were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Fifteen patients had normal MR findings (group A), and the remaining 65 patients were divided into four groups based on patterns of injury: small area of brain edema in 12 cases (group B); streak-like and spotty hyperintensities in 8 cases on T1WI (group C); large area of brain edema in 12 cases (group D); and mixed injury pattern in 33 cases (group E). Follow-up MRI scans in group A (3 cases), B (5 cases) and C(5 cases) were performed, and only 1 case in group C showed abnormalities. Follow-up scans in 4 cases of group D revealed abnormalities, and 7 out of 9 cases in group E found abnormalities. Conclusion: MRI can show the brain damage in asphyxiated neonates objectively during the first week of life, and estimate the prognosis at the early stage