Neurodevelopmental outcome of 31 patients with borderline fetal ventriculomegaly

Clinical Neurology And Neurosurgery, ss.969-971, 2012 (SCI İndekslerine Giren Dergi)

A b s t r a c t

Aim: We present the neurodevelopmental outcome of patients with isolated borderline fetal ventriculomegaly.

Methods: The present study was carried out at the Department of Pediatric Neurology, Istanbul Medical

Faculty, Istanbul University in July–December 2010. Prenatal second trimester detailed ultrasound

examinations were performed by obstetricians at the Prenatal Diagnosis Department of Istanbul Medical

School, and 31 consecutive patients aged 8–33 months have been included in the study. Four patients with

atrial diameters of over 15 mm and three patients with central nervous system development anomalies

were excluded from the study. In order to assess the neuromotor development of patients, neurologic

examinations and the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID-III) were used.

Results: Nine patients were female (29%) and 22 were male (71%). In the postnatal period, tuberous

sclerosis was found in one patient, Down syndrome in one, and equinovarus foot deformity in one. Atrial

diameter was <12 mm in 18 patients and >12 mm in 13. Cranial ultrasounds done in the first postnatal

month revealed persisting ventriculomegaly in nine patients. The two patients who scored significantly

low in all areas on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development were the patients with Down syndrome

and tuberous sclerosis. The one scoring low in the motor area was the patient with the equinovarus

foot deformity. The BSID-III scores of the patients whose prenatal ventricle diameter was <12 mm were

within normal limits. The four patients showing slight developmental delay were the ones whose cranial

ultrasound in the first postnatal month showed persisting ventriculomegaly.

Conclusion: In patients with borderline fetal ventriculomegaly, atrial diameter being more than 12 mm,

the condition persisting in the first postnatal month and the presence of accompanying syndromes and

malformations all constitute clear risk factors for neurodevelopmental outcome.