Role of magnetic resonance imaging brain in children with developmental delay

Abstract

Background: Developmental delay is one of the most common conditions encountered by paediatricians. It is defined as significant delay in one or more of the developmental domains. Evaluation of such children with neuroimaging is important to come to a specific diagnosis. Early identification and diagnosis have implications for better treatment and parental counselling regarding the outcome. This study aims to observe the various findings in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain and to depict the aetiology in children with developmental delay. Methods: A hospital based retrospective observational study, was carried out in Kamineni institute of medical sciences, Narketpally among 40 children aged between 6 months to 12 years, with features of developmental delay. MRI brain was done and findings were later classified into various etiological subgroups. Results: Normal morphological MRI findings were seen in only 12.5% of children with developmental delay. Abnormal morphological findings in MRI were seen in 87.5%, out of which 40% showed metabolic and degenerative disorders, 37.5% of the findings depicted congenital malformations, 10% of them were of infectious aetiology. The white matter was the most commonly involved anatomical structures i.e., (52.5%), followed by ventricles (20%). Conclusions: MRI can easily detect many specific etiological and pathophysiological conditions thus; clinical diagnosis of developmental delay must be aided with neuroimaging for better understanding of the aetiology.