1600 DEVELOPMENT OF NORMS FOR MEASUREMENT OF INTRACRANIAL STRUCTURES IN HIGH-RISK INFANTS: PRELIMINARY FINDINGS

Abstract

25 real-time ultrasonic sector scans of the head were obtained through anterior fontanelles of high-risk infants who were judged to have no intracranial pathology by clinical and usual sonographic criteria. Thicknesses of frontal mantle (FR.M) and occipital mantle (OC.M) were measured in sagittal planes. Distances between the inner tables of the calvaria were measured in coronal sections at the level of the caudate nuclei (BC) and of the atria of the lateral ventricles (BA). Distances between outer walls of lateral ventricles were measured at the same levels (VC and VA). We recorded birthweight, present weight, length of gestation, age post-conception and head circumference at each examination.

Infants in this study ranged from 29-48 weeks post-conception. They weighed 800 to 3140 g. All four measures of brain size or thickness (OC.M, FR.M, BA, BC) increased significantly with age and with body weight (P<0.01 in 6/8 and <0.05 in 2/8). VA also increased significantly with age and weight but not so with VC.

All of the following ratios remained stable as weight and age increased: VC/BC=0.31±0.07 (m±S.D.); VA/BA=0.54±0.09; OC.M/FR.M =0.86±0.13. The ratios were normally distributed in the population.

We are expanding this series in search of quantitative measures of normal brain structures that may be used to identify ventricular enlargement early in high-risk infants.

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