Infants exposed to MRI in utero have a normal paediatric assessment at 9 months of age

Any differences in detailed paediatric assessment at 9 months of age in infants exposed to echo planar MRI in utero from 20 weeks gestation to term were investigated by performing a case controlled prospective observational study of 20 infants. They had all had serial echo planar MRI in the antenatal period and were compared with a control group born at the same time who had not. Statistical analysis employed likelihood ratios, odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. The mothers of the control infants had a significantly higher standard of educational attainment (p=0.005). A small but significant decrease in length (p=0.047), and an increase in gross motor function (p=0.023) of the fetuses exposed to echo planar imaging were demonstrated. No other significant developmental or social differences were seen between the two groups. Infants at 9 months of age did not demonstrate any gross abnormality likely to be related to exposure to echo planar MRI in utero.