Association of T1WI Abnormality with the Interval between MRI and Measurement of Bilirubin Level Peak on Hyperbilirubinemia Neonates

Motivation: This study attempts to answer when MRI examination is appropriate for neonates with hyperbilirubinemia to assess the disease severity. Goal(s): To identify an optimal time point for MRI based on T1WI abnormal signal changes to accurately diagnose neonates hyperbilirubinemia. Approach: Signal intensities and ratios of nucleis were measured on T1WI, and their correlations with the interval from peak serum bilirubin were analyzed. Results: The intensity ratios of globus pallidus/anterior limb and posterior limb of the internal capsule and thalamus were negatively correlated with the interval. After 5 days, the signal ratios in the neonates hyperbilirubinemia group decreased to the normal level. Impact: Abnormal T1WI signal changes in basal ganglia nuclei of hyperbilirubinemic neonates vary with MRI timing. This insight aids clinicians to avoid performing MRI scans on subjects when the time is suboptimal, which may lead to false negative results on T1WI.