The role of magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion tensor imaging in the evaluation of neurodevelopment in preterm infants.

Background: This study analyzes the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in evaluating neurodevelopment in preterm infants (PTIs).

Methods: A total of 107 PTIs born from October 2021 to May 2023 completed MRI + DTI. The diagnostic value of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the frontal white matter region for brain white matter injury (WMI) was analyzed. The Gesell Developmental Scale assessed neurodevelopment at 6 months corrected age, observing the correlation between ADC and adaptive, personal-social, gross motor, fine motor, and language behaviors.

Results: WMI was found in 45 PTIs, with higher ADC compared to non-WMI PTIs (P < .05). ADC showed excellent diagnostic value for WMI. PTIs with adaptive, personal-social, gross motor, and fine motor developmental disorders had significantly higher ADC (P < .05), but no significant difference in language development disorders (P > .05).

Conclusion: ADC of the frontal white matter detected by MRI-DTI can effectively evaluate neurodevelopmental disorders in PTIs, serving as an early indicator for timely clinical intervention.