OP12.05: Longitudinal assessment of abnormal cortical folding in fetuses and neonates with isolated non‐severe ventriculomegaly

The impact of ventriculomegaly (VM) on prenatal cortical development has been extensively explored. However, there is a lack of longitudinal studies investigating the effects in the postnatal period. Our aim was to study the longitudinal relationship of ventricular enlargement with both volumetric and cortical folding measures. We included 15 isolated non-severe VM (INSVM) fetuses (ventricular width between 10 and 14.9mm) and 15 controls. Fetuses with associated malformation, infection or abnormal microarray were excluded. MRI was done during prenatal (26-32 weeks) and postnatal period (41-47 weeks postmenstrual) acquiring T2-w images that were processed to obtain volumetric features and a set of cortical folding measures, including local gyrification, sulcal depth, curvature, and cortical thickness. Ventricular volumes were higher in INSVM (p < 0.01). Cortical volumes were significantly different between groups with a steeper growth trajectory in INSVM, especially in the right cingulate (p = 0.049) and the left occipital (p = 0.044). Local gyrification index, curvature, and sulcal depth showed decreased progression from fetal to neonatal in INSMV, contrary to cortical thickness that showed higher growth (see figure 1). INSVM was associated with a significant delay in cortical development from fetal to neonatal live, resulting into reduced cortical folding, cortical volume overgrowth, and thicker cortex, suggesting the need for studies evaluating the neurodevelopmental correlates of these findings. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.