MRI EVALUATION OF BRAIN IN CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY: AN EXPERIENCE OF TWELVE CASES IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE OF RURAL INDIA

Background: The term developmental delay denotes a significant delay in one or more developmental domains in humans. The importance of evaluation of a child with developmental delay lies in early diagnosis and treatment and also parental counseling regarding the outcome of their child and to identify any possible risk of recurrence in the siblings. This study is done to evaluate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as an investigative modality for evaluation and to correlate the spectrum of findings in such patients with developmental delay.

Methods: This is a prospective observational study done at the Department of Radiodiagnosis, Jorhat Medical College and Hospital from January 2022 to December 2022 with a sample size of 12 cases. All patients were evaluated clinically and underwent an MRI of the brain performed using a 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner. MRI scan was done and findings are recorded.

Results: Among the cases, 3 have white matter disorders, 3 cases have Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), 2 cases have Cerebral atrophy with encephalomalacic changes, 1 case showing sub-ependymal heterotopia and 3 cases have normal findings.

Conclusions: The spectrum of developmental delay is wide and MRI brain helps in proper diagnosis. This leads to appropriate treatment and parent counselling. Further, advanced imaging modalities like Functional MRI, MR Spectroscopy, Diffusion Tensor Imaging etc. helps in further evaluation of developmental delay.