OP09.05: Fetal neuroimaging findings, early neonatal outcomes and motor impairment in children with congenital Zika syndrome

Abstract

Short oral presentation abstractsObjectives: In recent years efforts have been made to study three-dimensional biometry as a method for fetal brain assessment. In this study, we aimed to compare brain volumes of fetuses with CMV infection and non-infected controls. Also, we wanted to assess if there is a correlation to their neurodevelopmental outcome as observed after several years. Methods: A retrospective cohort study examined MRI brain scans of 42 fetuses (at 30-34 weeks gestational age) that were diagnosed with intrauterine CMV infection. Volumetric measurements of 6 structures were assessed using a semi-automated designated program, and compared to a control group of 50 fetuses. Data collected included: prenatal history, MRI and sonographic, neuro-developmental follow-up. Results: We found that all brain volumes measured were smaller in the CMV-infected group and that there is a correlation between smaller cerebellar volume and lower VABS-II questionnaire scores, especially in the fields of daily living and communication skills. Conclusions: In this study we found that brain volumes are affected by intrauterine CMV infection and that it has a developmental prognostic meaning. Such information, which should be supported by further research, may help clinicians to further analyse imaging data, and treat and make a better assessment of these fetuses.