Neurodevelopmental outcome of 31 patients with borderline fetal ventriculomegaly

Abstract

AimWe present the neurodevelopmental outcome of patients with isolated borderline fetal ventriculomegaly. MethodsThe present study was carried out at the Department of Pediatric Neurology, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University in July–December 2010. Prenatal second trimester detailed ultrasound examinations were performed by obstetricians at the Prenatal Diagnosis Department of Istanbul Medical School, and 31 consecutive patients aged 8–33 months have been included in the study. Four patients with atrial diameters of over 15mm and three patients with central nervous system development anomalies were excluded from the study. In order to assess the neuromotor development of patients, neurologic examinations and the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID-III) were used. ResultsNine patients were female (29%) and 22 were male (71%). In the postnatal period, tuberous sclerosis was found in one patient, Down syndrome in one, and equinovarus foot deformity in one. Atrial diameter was <12mm in 18 patients and >12mm in 13. Cranial ultrasounds done in the first postnatal month revealed persisting ventriculomegaly in nine patients. The two patients who scored significantly low in all areas on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development were the patients with Down syndrome and tuberous sclerosis. The one scoring low in the motor area was the patient with the equinovarus foot deformity. The BSID-III scores of the patients whose prenatal ventricle diameter was <12mm were within normal limits. The four patients showing slight developmental delay were the ones whose cranial ultrasound in the first postnatal month showed persisting ventriculomegaly. ConclusionIn patients with borderline fetal ventriculomegaly, atrial diameter being more than 12mm, the condition persisting in the first postnatal month and the presence of accompanying syndromes and malformations all constitute clear risk factors for neurodevelopmental outcome.