The brain's kryptonite: Overview of punctate white matter lesions in neonates

Abstract

With increasing advances in the field of medical brain imaging, the known spectrum of white matter lesions has expanded, and we can now assess the presence of punctate white matter lesions (PWML). These focal small lesions are quite frequently detected in the preterm infant and in full‐term infants with congenital heart malformations with, some studies reporting a link between these lesions and adverse long‐term outcomes. The etiology of PWML has sparked a lot of questions over the years, some of which still remain unanswered. This narrative review will bring an overview of current knowledge and their significant clinical importance in the newborn brain.

Feed-forward neural networks using cerebral MR spectroscopy and DTI might predict neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm neonates

“…We found a significant impact of WMI detected on conventional sequences on the motor outcome, according to the previous conventional MRI studies in preterm infants [4,6]. However, the impact of subtle brain injury has been increasingly emphasised in quantitative MRI studies [54][55][56] and the outcome of infants having those remains uncertain [57]. As mild WMI can resolve over time [50], conventional MRI at TEA may underestimate their burden.…”

White matter injury and neurodevelopmental disabilities: A cross-disease (dis)connection

“…They can be isolated in preterm infants and neonates with CHD or be associated with more severe injuries like HIE, cystic PVL, and hemorrhages (Nguyen et al, 2019). The number and volume of PWML have been associated with poor motor outcome, while their location in the WM seems to correlate with poor language and cognitive deficits (Guo et al, 2017;Tusor et al, 2017).…”