Morphometric Shape Analysis of Corpus Callosum in Children with Down Syndrome

Abstract

Abstract OBJECTIVES Down Syndrome (DS, Trisomy 21) is the most common genetic disease that is characterized by varying degrees of mental retardation and delay in neurocognitive functions. Herein, we analyzed the morphometric shape of the corpus callosum (CC) in children with DS. METHODS Twenty-three (50%) DS cases underwent MRI and were found to have grossly normal CC, and 23 (50%) control group were included in this retrospective study from the pediatric radiology archive (2012 to 2020). Images containing the CC were obtained from T2-weighted midsagittal images, and certain anatomical points were marked on the CC. Statistical geometric shapes and deformations of CC were evaluated for both groups. RESULTS The age range of patients with Down Syndrome was 6–42 months (11 females, 12 males), and 6–42 months (10 females, 13 males) for the control group. A statistically significant difference was found in the shape of CC between the groups (p < 0.001). Deformation was most evident in the posterior part of the CC (splenium) in the DS group. DISCUSSION The splenial deformation detected in children with Down Syndrome may be one of the first clues that can be determined in early childhood, which can explain the retardation in the neurocognitive functions.