MR Imaging of the Newborn

This issue of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Clinics of North America is dedicated to MRI of the Newborn Infant. Vast experience has been gained over the past decade in safely transporting, monitoring, and imaging this highly vulnerable patient group. Technological advances in MRI hardware such as higher field strength systems, multichannel coils, higher gradient performance, and MR-compatible incubators with integrated antennae laid the ground for more detailed, higher resolution anatomical MR imaging. In addition, the ongoing development of advanced functional MR imaging techniques (ie, diffusion-weighted/tensor imaging, perfusion-weighted imaging, susceptibility-weighted imaging, MR angiography and venography, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, and ¹H MR spectroscopy) rendered MRI the most versatile noninvasive diagnostic modality and an indispensable tool to investigate qualitatively and quantitatively neonatal injuries, malformations, congenital disorders, and tumors. Furthermore, the advanced MRI techniques allow collecting multiple “biomarkers” of injury that may monitor disease course or treatment results quantitatively. Today, neonate MRI is successfully performed in preterm newborns as young as 24 weeks of gestation and sequential imaging is carried out to assess development or response to injury and/or therapy.

The articles in this first issue—all written by international experts in the field—focus on topics directly relevant to patient care, thereby emphasizing once again the rapidly growing clinical importance of neonatal MRI. This issue is divided into three logical sections that cover all relevant anatomical and functional regions of the neonate. The first part covers, in accord with clinical appearance, the majority of MRI exams indicated for injuries and disorders of the brain and spine: hypoxic ischemic brain injury in preterm and term infants is discussed, as well as seizures, birth-related and inflicted head injuries, head trauma, and metabolic diseases. The second part focuses on congenital cardiac defects and cardiovascular malformations, and the third is dedicated to musculoskeletal indications of MRI. A second issue will be published shortly after the first issue, which will focus more on technical aspects of neonatal MR imaging.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the contributing authors for sharing their expertise and providing us with such exceptional material. We would also like to thank Barton Dudlick, Joanne Husovski, and the remainder of the staff at Elsevier for their assistance in preparing this issue. We hope you find the issue informative and educational. Enjoy this comprehensive update of neonate MR imaging!

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