Do Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Measurements Predict Outcome in Children with Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy?
GROUND AND PURPOSE: Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) permits early detection and quantification of HI brain lesions. Our aim was to assess the predictive value of DWI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements for outcome in children with perinatal asphyxia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Term neonates underwent MR imaging within 10 days after birth because of asphyxia. MR imaging examinations were retrospectively evaluated for HI brain damage. ADC was measured in 30 standardized brain regions and in visibly abnormal areas on DWI. In survivors, developmental outcome until early school age was graded into the following categories: 1) normal, 2) mildly abnormal, and 3) definitely abnormal. For analysis, category 3 and death were labeled “adverse,” 1 and 2 were “favorable,” and 2–3 and death were “abnormal” outcome. Differences in outcome between infants with and without DWI abnormalities were analyzed by using 2 tests. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test analyzed whether ADC values
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