Objective: This study aimed to test whether mildly elevated bilirubin levels in preterm infants are associated with increased signal intensity (SI) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the basal ganglia (BG).
Study design: MRI was performed at term equivalent age in 55 postpreterm infants using a neonatal MRI 1-T scanner. SI of the BG was correlated with mild hyperbilirubinemia.
Results: BG MRI SI was significantly increased in infants with mild hyperbilirubinemia on T1-weighted image (T1; p = 0.0393) and T2-weighted image (T2; p = 0.0309). We found no effect of gestational age or sepsis on BG MRI intensity; however, there was a significant effect of acidosis on T1 (p = 0.0223) but not on T2 (p = 0.2316). Infants with combined hyperbilirubinemia and acidosis had the most significant increase in SI on both T1 and T2 respectively (p = 0.0072 and 0.0195, respectively).
Conclusion: We found a positive association between increased BG MRI SI and mildly elevated bilirubin levels. The effect was greatly strengthened when hyperbilirubinemia was associated with acidosis.
Key points: · Excessive bilirubin is neurotoxic to the neonatal brain. It is deposited in the BG.. · BG MRI SI is increased with bilirubin deposition.. · The premature brain is more vulnerable to bilirubin associated MRI changes..
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