Region selective reductions in brain apparent diffusion coefficient in CMV-infected fetuses.

Abstract To evaluate effects of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the fetal brain in utero. Fifty-eight sequential fetal head magnetic resonance imaging (feMRI) scans of PCR-verified CMV-infected fetuses were retrospectively (2008-2012) analyzed and compared to a normal control group. Gestational age (GA) at infection ranged from 1-32 weeks, and feMRI scanning was performed at GA 24-38. The frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes (mainly white matter), basal ganglia (BG), thalamus, pons and cerebellum were analyzed by assessing ADC values. Two pregnancies were terminated and PM correlation was available. Regional ADC measurements were similarly obtained from 36 GA-matched uninfected fetuses. ADC values of the CMV-infected fetuses significantly and negatively correlated with GA in all brain regions except the basal ganglia. The cerebellum had the steepest decline (r =0.52, P