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Neuropediatrics 2000; 31(3): 128-136
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-7496
Original Article

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

MR Patterns of Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Damage After Prenatal, Perinatal or Postnatal Asphyxia[*]

L. T. L. Sie1 , M. S. van der Knaap1 , J. Oosting 4 , L. S. de Vries5 , H. N. Lafeber 2 , J. Valk 3
  • 1 Department of Child Neurology, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • 2 Department of Neonatology, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • 3 Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • 4 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • 5 Department of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

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The relationship between MR patterns of brain damage and type or timing of perinatal hypoxia-ischemia was studied. MR images of 104 children with evidence of bilateral posthypoxic-ischemic brain damage and neonatal records were reviewed. Three different MR patterns were found. Periventricular leukomalacia occurred in 73 children, in 82 % after a history of subacute or chronic hypoxia-ischemia, in 71 % after preterm birth. Predominant lesions of basal ganglia and thalamus occurred in 21 children, in 95 % preceded by acute profound asphyxia, in 85 % after term birth. Multicystic encephalopathy occurred in 10 infants, in 70 % preceded by mild signs of hypoxia-ischemia, followed by an unexpectedly severe encephalopathy, in 60 % after term birth. Statistical analysis showed that the patterns of injury were primarily related to the type of hypoxia-ischemia. We conclude that the type of hypoxia-ischemia, rather than the postconceptional age at occurrence determines the pattern of brain injury.

Key words

Children - MR - Brain - Central nervous system - Asphyxia

1 Parts of this study have been presented at the “European Paediatric Neurology Society”, October 1997, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

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1 Parts of this study have been presented at the “European Paediatric Neurology Society”, October 1997, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Prof. Dr. M. S. van der Knaap

Department of Child Neurology Free University Hospital

De Boelelaan 1117

1081 HV Amsterdam

The Netherlands

Email: E-mail: ms.vanderknaap@azvu.nl