Affiliations: Sheffield Children's Hospital National Health Service
Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK | Academic Unit of Radiology, University of Sheffield,
Sheffield, UK | Postgraduate Medical Institute, University of Hull,
Hull, UK | Department of Pediatric Radiology, Sheffield
Children's Hospital, Sheffield, UK
Note: [] Correspondence: Dr. Anthony R. Hart, Department of Academic
Radiology, University of Sheffield, Floor C, Royal Hallamshire Hospital,
Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2JF, UK. Tel.: +44 0114 2268421; E-mail:
t.hart@doctors.org.uk
Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended as a part of
investigation of children with global developmental delay (GDD) and additional
symptoms, but not for those with isolated GDD. Our aims were to review our
local experience on the frequency of abnormalities of the brain in children
with developmental delay and assess if abnormalities are as common in our
children with isolated GDD as those with GDD and additional symptoms. One
hundred and thirty-two children referred for MRI of the brain as part of their
investigation for GDD between January 1998 and December 2006 were identified
from a local database of MRI in our radiology department. Clinical features up
to the point of referral for MRI were noted and participants divided into two
groups: isolated GDD, and GDD with additional features. MRI reports were
classified as normal or abnormal. Fisher's exact test was used to identify
statistical differences in the prevalence of MRI abnormalities between the
groups. Nine (6.8%) had isolated GDD and 123 (93.2%) had GDD and additional
symptoms. Four (44.4%) of the children with isolated GDD had abnormal MRI.
68 (55.3%) children with GDD and additional symptoms had abnormal MRI.
Children with GDD and additional symptoms were 1.51 times more likely to have
an abnormal MRI than children with isolated GDD (95% confidence interval =
0.39, 5.88; P=0.73). No statistical difference existed
between the prevalence of abnormalities on MRI in those with isolated GDD and
GDD with additional symptoms, although the small numbers of participants with
isolated GDD risks a type II statistical error. Further studies are warranted
to determine the usefulness of MRI in children with isolated GDD.
Keywords: Pediatrics, developmental delay disabilities, magnetic resonance imaging, brain imaging
