Linear hyperechogenicity within the basal ganglia and thalamus of preterm infants

Linear hyperechogenicity (LHE) within the basal ganglia and thalamus is an uncommon sonographic finding in preterm infants and is of unclear significa nce. The study objectives were to determine the clinical characteristics an d neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants who develop LHE, Ten preter m and 20 control infants were evaluated developmentally at 18 months adjust ed age using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. LHE was diagnosed at 4 weeks (range = 1-11), Antenatal glucocorticoid therapy was more common in infants with LHE than in the control infants (90 % vs 45%). Four (44%) of nine LHE infants and no control infants were positive for cytomegalovirus ( P = 0.02, and three of 10 I,IIE infants and no control infants had a hypoth yroid (P = 0.03), The mental development scores and behavioral evaluation r esults were lower in the infants with LHE than in the control infants (73.7 +/- 9.7 vs 83.7 +/- 9.4, P = 0.01 and 23.7 +/- 20.1 vs 43.9 +/- 25.4, P = 0.04, respectively). The infants without LHE also had poorer motor quality (22.8 +/- 20.5 vs 55.7 +/- 37.4, F = 0.02) and lower emotional regulation s cores (25.7 +/- 16 vs 42.3 +/- 24, P = 0.06) than the control infants. Pret erm infants with LHE are at an increased risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcome and, in particular, cognitive and behavioral performance. The sono graphic evolution of LHE may be a marker of a diffuse insult to the brain. (C) 2000 by Elsevier Science Inc, All rights reserved.