The use of susceptibility weighted MR imaging(SWI)in neonates with HIE
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The use of susceptibility weighted magnetic resonance imaging (SWI) in neonates with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy
IRAS ID
143392
Contact name
Brigitte Vollmer
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
Human brain need a constant supply of blood and oxygen to sustain it. Sometimes, when babies are being born, the blood supply to the brain may be interrupted or there may not be enough oxygen in blood for the brain. The resulting brain damage is called hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) and this is managed by temporarily cooling the baby. Newborns with a history of HIE have a risk for long term neurological problems. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain scan is a standard clinical tool to assess brain injury in babies with HIE.However, MRI in the newborn period does not accurately identify all babies who may have long term problems.
During MRI brain scans a number of standard sequences are used. At University Hospital Southampton, in addition to the ‘standard sequences’, we routinely perform an additional MRI sequence in the newborn period called Susceptibility weighted Imaging (SWI). The aim of this study is to evaluate whether adding SWI imaging to conventional MRI techniques improves prediction of neurological outcome at 12 months of age in babies with HIE.
All babies with HIE who received cooling treatment at Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton from January 2011 till June 2013 will be eligible. From their clinical notes, clinical information (condition at birth, at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months of age) will be collected. The available MRI images will be reviewed and numerical scores will be assigned to the conventional MRI scans and SWI scans. The collected data will be subjected to statistical analysis to assess if SWI improve predicting neurological outcomes compared to normal MRI sequences in babies with HIE. The results of the study will be published and will help inform future studies.REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1948
Date of REC Opinion
28 Dec 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion