Cerebellar Vermis Injury in Severe Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Background/Objectives: Cerebellar vermis abnormalities often accompany more extensive hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy lesions in full-term newborns. However, these abnormalities have received little attention until now. This study presents a small case series of affected newborns, focusing on vermis lesions and associated brain injuries. Methods: Newborns underwent an initial conventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan of the brain, typically within the first few days after the acute insult. A late conventional brain MRI was obtained between the third and fifth months of life. Images were analyzed independently by a child neurologist and a neuroradiologist on our team and the results were compared. Findings: Cerebellar vermis involvement was confirmed in all cases. Interestingly, the hippocampus, dorsal brainstem, cerebellum and globus pallidus were particularly affected, though this is rarely reported or described. Conclusion: Cerebellar vermis injury is often associated with severe Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) in term neonates. In addition to previous reports, we describe new, widespread lesions in cerebral regions that are functionally and metabolically linked with the vermis. Background/Objectives: Cerebellar vermis abnormalities often accompany more extensive hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy lesions in full-term newborns. However, these abnormalities have received little attention until now. This study presents a small case series of affected newborns, focusing on vermis lesions and associated brain injuries. Methods: Newborns underwent an initial conventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan of the brain, typically within the first few days after the acute insult. A late conventional brain MRI was obtained between the third and fifth months of life. Images were analyzed independently by a child neurologist and a neuroradiologist on our team and the results were compared. Findings: Cerebellar vermis involvement was confirmed in all cases. Interestingly, the hippocampus, dorsal brainstem, cerebellum and globus pallidus were particularly affected, though this is rarely reported or described. Conclusion: Cerebellar vermis injury is often associated with severe Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) in term neonates. In addition to previous reports, we describe new, widespread lesions in cerebral regions that are functionally and metabolically linked with the vermis.