Incidence of focal white matter lesions in a population of hemophiliac children and their normal siblings

Objective. This analysis was undertaken to evaluate the etiology and sequel ae of 2- to 5-mm focal white matter hyperintensities on T2-weighted MR imag es of some participants enrolled in the Hemophilia Growth and Development S tudy (HGDS). Materials and methods. The HGDS is a multicenter study of the growth and de velopment, neurological, neuropsychological, and immune functioning of a co hort of children and adolescents, 62% of whom were infected with HIV throug h the use of clotting factor concentrates, and their non-hemophiliac, non-H IV infected male siblings. The current investigation was conducted with all three groups of HGDS participants: HIV-positive hemophiliacs (n = 207), HI V-negative hemophiliacs (n = 126), and their siblings (n = 47). Magnetic re sonance imaging was performed at each center, with a variety of 0.3 to 1.5 T instruments. Standard examinations included 5-mm-thick T1-weighted sagitt al and axial images, intermediate, and T2-weighted axial images. A study of abnormalities of the coagulation system known to be associated with thromb otic events was conducted among a subgroup of participants (n = 51) from ei ght centers. Results. Lesions were not associated with hemophilia-related factors, immun e function, hematologic, or neurologic factors. There were no associations between the presence of white matter lesions and defects of coagulation in any of the assays completed. Conclusion. The 2- to 5-mm focal white matter hyperintensities on T2-weight ed MR images of the brain were incidental findings in our study population.