H-1-MR spectroscopy is sensitive to subtle effects of perinatal asphyxia

The authors performed neuropsychological and H-1-MRS studies in 18 subclini cal patients with antecedents of perinatal asphyxia (PA) and in 18 matched control subjects. Patients with PA showed reduced values of N-acetylasparta te (NAA) in both the basal ganglia and the midtemporal region (MTR) and red uced NAA/choline values in the MTR. Neuropsychological testing showed group differences in tasks related to attention and memory. These results indica te persistent dysfunctions in cerebral structures vulnerable to hypoxia and demonstrate the utility of MRS for the long-term evaluation of cerebral se quelae of neonatal asphyxia.