Pregnant women who are told a scan has found a brain abnormality in the foetus should be offered a second MRI scan, researchers say today.
The Sheffield University study shows that the second scan, performed within two weeks, hugely increased the accuracy of diagnosis.
Researchers found that a diagnosis offered after the first, mid-pregnancy, scan was accurate in only 68% of cases. This was an ultrasound scan given between 18 and 21 weeks of gestation.
Women given the second scan were given a diagnosis with 93% accuracy, the researchers report in The Lancet.
Some 570 women took part in the research after the mid-pregnancy scan suggested a potential brain abnormality in their babies. The accuracy of the diagnosis was established after the baby was born – or the foetus was terminated or the mother miscarried.
The study suggested that the MRI scan changed the outlook for the pregnancy in at least 20% of cases, helping women to decide to terminate – or letting them know the pregnancy would be normal.
Researcher Professor Paul Griffiths said: “This study is the first of its kind and has shown that adding an MRI scan when a problem is detected provides additional information to support parents making decisions about their pregnancy.
“Based on our findings we propose that an MRI scan should be given in any pregnancy where the foetus may have a suspected brain abnormality.”
Commenting on the study, Professor Rod Scott, of Vermont University, USA, said: "This trial strongly supports the view that in utero Magnetic Resonance (iuMR) imaging is an excellent technique, and it should be incorporated into clinical practice as soon as possible.”
Lancet 15 December 2016 [abstract]
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