Clinical Characteristics and Prediction of Neurodevelopmental Outcomes for Infants with Ventriculomegaly in Utero: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Abstract OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical features and neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants diagnosed with fetal ventriculomegaly (VM). STUDY DESIGN: We collected data of fetuses with VM (November 2017-January 2021). Neurodevelopmental outcomes were evaluated using the Chinese version of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 18 months. We analyzed the data using two-sided t-test, chi-square tests, and logistic regression. RESULTS Among the 167 VM fetuses, 130 completed a thorough evaluation and postnatal follow-up. Of 130 cases, 61 (47%) displayed isolated VM, while 69 (53%) had non-isolated VM. Neurodevelopmental outcomes differed between the isolated and non-isolated groups, the mild and severe groups, the progressive and non-progressive groups. Anomalies in the CNS, urogenital system, and gastrointestinal tract were associated with lower MDI or PDI scores. CONCLUSIONS Poor neurodevelopmental outcomes were observed in fetuses with severe or progressive VM or when accompanied by structural anomalies, particularly with cerebral, urogenital, and gastrointestinal anomalies.