This study explores the value of MRI in pregnant women whose unborn babies may have serious clinical problems when they are born arising from abnormal brain development.
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Ultrasound scans are used to look at the unborn baby but there is evidence that in utero MRI may show more. We wish to study unborn babies that have more fluid in the brain than normal (ventriculomegaly) because it is likely those babies will have other abnormal areas in the brain. We suggest that in utero MRI will detect those problems and help to provide more information to the women and her family. Recent work suggests that ultrasonography is not a good method of excluding brain abnormalities. We will also follow up the babies born with ventriculomegaly in an out-patient clinic to examine and perform developmental tests between the ages of two and three. Advances in MRI hardware over the last five years made it possible to image the fetus in utero and this team of medical scientists from the radiology department of the University of Sheffield have been closely involved in the development and assessment of methods for the fetal brain and spine problems. The follow up assessments on the children will be carried out by a consultant Neonatologist. The cost for this work is: £269,883