Low field strength magnetic resonance imaging of the neonatal brain.

BACKGROUND Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the neonate has been restricted by the need to transport the sick baby to the large magnetic resonance scanners and often the need for sedation or anaesthesia in order to obtain good quality images. Ultrasound is the reference standard for neonatal imaging. OBJECTIVE To establish a dedicated neonatal MR system and compare the clinical usefulness of MR imaging with ultrasound imaging. DESIGN Prospective double blind trial. SETTING Neonatal intensive care unit, Sheffield. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Imaging reports. PATIENTS 134 premature and term babies. RESULTS In 56% of infants with pathology suspected on clinical grounds, MR provided additional useful clinical information over and above that obtained with ultrasound. CONCLUSION Infants can be safely imaged by dedicated low field magnetic resonance on the neonatal intensive care unit without the need for sedation at a cost equivalent to ultrasound.