HEMORRHAGIC ISCHEMIC LESIONS OF THE NEONATAL BRAIN - CORRELATION BETWEEN CEREBRAL VISUAL IMPAIRMENT, NEURODEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME AND MRI IN INFANCY

The relationship between the degree of cerebral visual impairment, est ablished using the acuity card procedure, and the extent of neurologic al sequelae was assessed in 65 at-risk neonates in a prospective follo w-up study. MRI. and CT scans were performed in all infants with sever e neurological sequelae. 11 of 12 children with an acuity at or below the 10th centile at 18 months developed cerebral palsy: the underlying condition was extensive cystic leukomalacia in ail. An acuity above t he 10th centile was no guarantee of normal development, as 10 out of 5 2 such infants developed cerebral palsy. MRI and CT scans showed that periventricular high signal intensity in the occipital area was a non- specific finding with regard to visual function. Extensive periventric ular white matter loss and involvement of the striate/parastriate cort ex was found in the most severely visually impaired infants.