Predicting adverse developmental outcomes in infants with mild to moderate white matter injury; A prospective cohort study with conventional MRI

Motivation: To predict adverse developmental outcomes in infants with mild to moderate white matter injury(WMI). Goal(s): To develop a conventional MRI-based model to predict adverse developmental outcomes in infants with mild to moderate WMI. Approach: This prospective study included 242 infants with punctate white matter lesions (PWML) and/or diffuse excessive high signal intensity from March 2011 to July 2024. The whole cerebral abnormality were scored using a conventional MRI scoring system. Together with clinical information, multivariable logistic regression model was used to develop the predictive model. Results: PWML, delayed myelination, subventricular cyst and congenital heart disease were associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcome. Impact: The model is a relatively reliable tool to predict adverse developmental outcomes in infants with mild to moderate WMI.