Fetal Neurology Practice Survey: Current Practice and the Future Directions

Developmental, Endocrine, and Ophthalmologic Outcomes in Children Prenatally Diagnosed With Midline Brain Malformations

BACKGROUND

Midline brain malformations (MBMs) are commonly prenatally diagnosed and associated with endocrinologic, ophthalmic, and adverse developmental outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted of all neonates identified prenatally with suspected MBMs between 2018 and 2022 at the only multidisciplinary referral center in a multistate region. Abnormalities were categorized as isolated versus complicated absent cavum septum pellucidum (ASP) (N = 11 vs N = 13) or corpus callosum abnormalities (AgCC) (N = 11 vs N = 43) or holoprosencephaly spectrum (N = 12). We assessed subsequent diagnoses and outcomes using a standardized assessment pathway.

RESULTS

Infants with holoprosencephaly were significantly more likely to die than patients with isolated ASP or AgCC (P = 0.02). Surviving infants with holoprosencephaly had universal developmental delay, significantly more than the 10% seen in isolated ASP or AgCC (P = 0.007), and infants with isolated MBMs were significantly more likely to be alive and without endocrine, ophthalmologic, developmental, or epileptic diagnoses at last follow-up than other groups (isolated ASP = 67%, AgCC 82%). The median time to diagnosis of optic nerve hypoplasia was 3 days and initial identification of endocrine concerns was 7 days. There were no significant differences between rates of diagnosis for endocrine, ophthalmologic, or epileptic complications between groups, with all MBMs demonstrating a risk for complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows the importance of multidisciplinary screening in all infants with midline brain defects. Most infants with isolated ASP or AgCC did not have MBM-associated diagnoses at last follow-up, but all groups had comorbidities and would benefit from multispecialty postnatal monitoring.

Difficult Conversations in Fetal-Neonatal Neurology: National Survey of Educational Experiences and Needs of Child Neurology Residents

BACKGROUND

Fetal-neonatal neurology (FNN) is a growing subspecialty within child neurology that often involves difficult conversations with families regarding new neurological diagnoses and prognoses. We assessed child neurology residents' educational experiences and needs regarding difficult conversations in FNN.

METHODS

We performed a descriptive survey-based study of the educational experiences of child neurology residents in their neurology training. An anonymous RedCap survey was distributed by e-mail to program directors of all US child neurology programs for distribution to residents for optional, voluntary completion.

RESULTS

Forty-seven child neurology residents in training programs in 12 states participated. Nearly all (92%) spent at least one week during the academic year providing consultations in the neonatal intensive care unit. About half participated in at least one fetal neurology consultation over the course of six months. A majority of respondents (87%) had been part of a difficult conversation in FNN, defined as delivering serious news or discussing neurological prognosis, and 68% led at least one difficult conversation over the course of six months. Respondents were more often comfortable delivering diagnoses and prognoses in neonatal neurology than in fetal neurology. A minority (32%) had communication training specific to FNN, and almost all (96%) were interested in improving their ability to conduct difficult conversations in FNN.

CONCLUSIONS

Child neurology residents were variably exposed to FNN and often actively participated in difficult conversations with families. Most residents had not had communication training specific to FNN and were interested in improving their ability to conduct difficult conversations in FNN.

Fetal Callosal Anomalies: A Narrative Review and Practical Recommendations for Pediatric Neurologists

Agenesis of the corpus callosum is a common indication for fetal neurology consultation, increasingly identified through advances in fetal sonography and fetal magnetic resonance imaging. Despite improvements in diagnostic accuracy, prognostic counseling is challenging due to highly variable neurodevelopmental outcomes. Several factors contribute to neurodevelopmental outcome variability, including associated anomalies and etiologic considerations such as genetic, acquired, and environmental factors. This narrative review discusses existing literature on prenatal findings, postnatal outcomes, and comorbidities to provide practical guidelines for prenatal diagnosis, counseling, and postnatal management. Additionally, practice and research gaps are identified to advocate for guidelines to improve counseling, management, and optimization of outcomes for affected children and families.

Fetal intracerebral hemorrhage: review of the literature and practice considerations

Fetal intracerebral hemorrhage is increasingly recognized on prenatal imaging. In this review, we discuss clinically relevant aspects of fetal intracerebral hemorrhage, including germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage, as well as intraparenchymal hemorrhage. We discuss current clinical practice for prenatal counseling and postnatal management of fetal intracerebral hemorrhage, and offer practical recommendations for clinicians. We propose standardized terminology for classification of fetal intracerebral hemorrhage to be used in future research. We also highlight gaps in the literature and priorities for future research, namely the need for prospective large-scale studies to better understand underlying etiologies and neurodevelopmental outcomes in fetal intracerebral hemorrhage. IMPACT STATEMENT: We discuss the diverse etiologies and outcomes of fetal intracerebral hemorrhage, and propose standardized terminology for classification. We outline current practice and offer practical recommendations for management and counseling of fetal intracerebral hemorrhage, recognizing the need for capacity-building in the newly emerging subspecialty of fetal neurology. We highlight gaps in the literature and research priorities in fetal intracerebral hemorrhage to promote collaborative research, and the development of interventions to improve pregnancy and child outcomes.

Prenatally Diagnosed Absent Septum Pellucidum and Septo-Optic Dysplasia: A Narrative Review and Practical Recommendations for Pediatric Neurologists

Evaluation of the cavum septum pellucidum is required in standard second-trimester screening fetal anatomy ultrasound scans. The absence of septum pellucidum triggers further evaluation and referral for subspecialty counseling. Absence of septum pellucidum is linked to other midline anomalies including septo-optic dysplasia. The purpose of this narrative review on absent septum pellucidum and septo-optic dysplasia is to discuss the literature, including pre- and postnatal management and neurodevelopmental outcome, provide practical recommendations, and outline research gaps to advance this nascent field.

Communicating neurological prognosis in the prenatal period: a narrative review and practice guidelines

Clinicians may face an array of challenges in conducting fetal neurological consultations including prognostic uncertainty, a lack of training in fetal counseling, and limited opportunity to build rapport with families. In this setting, it is critical to employ high-quality, family-centered care to allow expectant parents to make informed decisions. Despite the challenges and gravity of these consultations, there remains limited data outlining best conduct and communication practices. This narrative review aims to summarize relevant literature around counseling within fetal neurology, focusing on three key themes: (1) discussing neurological prognosis and uncertainty, (2) navigating evolving decision making, (3) recognizing bias and understanding patient context. We provide practical recommendations to clinicians conducting fetal neurological counseling and outline future research priorities. IMPACT: Fetal neurological conditions can have a significant impact on child short- and long-term health outcomes. Prenatal consultations are an important venue to discuss information regarding fetal prognosis and decision making with expectant parents. However, there is limited evidence supporting best communication practices within this setting. This review summarizes current literature around expectant parent prognostic communication preferences and outlines practical recommendations and priorities for future research.

Prenatally Diagnosed Holoprosencephaly: Review of the Literature and Practical Recommendations for Pediatric Neurologists

Holoprosencephaly (HPE) is one of the most common malformations in embryonic development. HPE represents a continuum spectrum that involves the midline cleavage of forebrain structures. Facial malformations of varying degrees of severity are also observed. It is probable that HPE results from a combination of genetic mutations and environmental influences during the initial weeks of pregnancy. Some patients with HPE experience early death, whereas others go on to experience neurodevelopmental impairment. Accurate fetal imaging can facilitate diagnosis and prenatal counseling, although more subtle brain abnormalities can be difficult to diagnose prenatally. Fetal counseling can be complex, given that the etiopathogenesis remains unclear and variable penetrance is prevalent in inherited genetic mutations. The aim of this narrative review is to examine the literature on HPE and to offer recommendations for pediatric neurologists for fetal counseling and postnatal care.

Fetal Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage Imaging Patterns, Etiology, and Outcomes: A Single Center Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

This study examines associations among fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) injury patterns, etiologies, and outcomes in fetal intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH).

METHODS

This is a retrospective, single-center cohort study of IPH diagnosed on fetal MRI (1996-2022). IPH and associated abnormalities were categorized by 2 pediatric neuroradiologists; electronic medical records were reviewed by 2 pediatric neurologists to classify etiology and outcomes including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, developmental delay, and death.

RESULTS

Forty-four fetuses with IPH were identified (34 singleton and 10 twin gestations) with MRI at median 24 weeks gestation (interquartile range [IQR] = 22-28 weeks). IPH was commonly supratentorial (84%) and focal (50%) or focal with diffuse injury (43%) and was often associated with germinal matrix hemorrhage (GMH; 75%) and/or intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH; 52%). An etiology was identified in 75%, including twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS, n = 10), COL4A1/2 variants (n = 8), or other fetal/maternal conditions (n = 15). COL4A1/2 variants were associated with focal IPH and the presence of hemorrhagic porencephaly, and intrauterine transfusion was associated with infratentorial hemorrhage. Twenty-two fetuses were liveborn, and 18 pregnancies were terminated. Among those with follow-up ≥ 12 months (median = 7 years), 12 of 13 had cerebral palsy, 6 of 13 had developmental delay, and 5 of 13 had epilepsy.

INTERPRETATION

An etiology for fetal IPH with or without GMH-IVH is identified in most cases in our cohort and is commonly TTTS, COL4A1/2 variants, or other maternal/fetal comorbidities. Pattern of fetal IPH on MRI is associated with etiology. Cerebral palsy and neurodevelopmental impairment were common in liveborn infants. Genetic studies should be considered in cases of fetal IPH without an otherwise apparent cause. ANN NEUROL 2024;96:1137-1147.

Brain health equity and the influence of social determinants across the life cycle

Social determinants of health are social, economic and environmental factors known to influence health and development of infants, children and adults. Advancing equity in brain health relies upon interdisciplinary collaboration and recognition of the impact of social determinants on brain health through the lifespan and across generations. Critical periods of fetal, infant and early childhood development encompass intrinsic genetic and extrinsic environmental influences with complex gene-environment interactions. This review discusses the influence of social determinants on the continuum of brain health from preconception and pregnancy health, through fetal, infant and childhood neurodevelopment into adulthood. Opportunities for intervention to address the social determinants of brain health across the life cycle are highlighted.

Interdisciplinary fetal-neonatal neurology training improves brain health across the lifespan

Integrated fetal, neonatal, and pediatric training constitute an interdisciplinary fetal-neonatal neurology (FNN) program. A dynamic neural exposome concept strengthens curriculum content. Trainees participate in mentoring committee selection for guidance during a proposed two-year program. Prenatal to postnatal clinical learning re-enforces early toxic stressor interplay that influences gene-environment interactions. Maternal-placental-fetal triad, neonatal, or childhood diseases require diagnostic and therapeutic decisions during the first 1,000 days when 80 % of neural connections contribute to life-course phenotypic expression. Pediatric follow-up through 3 years adjusts to gestational ages of preterm survivors. Cumulative reproductive, pregnancy, pediatric and adult exposome effects require educational experiences that emphasize a principle-to-practice approach to a brain capital strategy across the lifespan. More rigorous training during fetal, neonatal, and pediatric rotations will be offered to full time trainees. Adult neurology residents, medical students, and trainees from diverse disciplines will learn essential topics during time-limited rotations. Curriculum content will require periodic re-assessments using educational science standards that maintain competence while promoting creative and collaborative problem-solving. Continued career-long learning by FNN graduates will strengthen shared healthcare decisions by all stakeholders. Recognition of adaptive or maladaptive neuroplasticity mechanisms requires analytic skills that identify phenotypes associated with disease pathways. Developmental origins and life-course concepts emphasize brain health across the developmental-aging continuum, applicable to interdisciplinary research collaborations. Social determinants of health recognize diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities with each neurological intervention, particularly for those challenged with disparities. Diagnostic and therapeutic strategies must address resource challenges particularly throughout the Global South to effectively lower the worldwide burden of neurologic disease. Sustainable development goals proposed by the World Health Organization offer universally applicable guidelines in response to ongoing global and regional polycrises. Gender, race, ethnicity, and socio-economic equality promote effective preventive, rescue and reparative neuroprotective interventions. Global synergistic efforts can be enhanced by establishing leadership within academic teaching hubs in FNN training to assist with structure and guidance for smaller healthcare facilities in each community that will improve practice, education and research objectives. Reduced mortality with an improved quality of life must prioritize maternal-pediatric health and well-being to sustain brain health across each lifespan with transgenerational benefits.

Fetal Cerebral Ventriculomegaly: A Narrative Review and Practical Recommendations for Pediatric Neurologists

Fetal cerebral ventriculomegaly is one of the most common fetal neurological disorders identified prenatally by neuroimaging. The challenges in the evolving landscape of conditions like fetal cerebral ventriculomegaly involve accurate diagnosis and how best to provide prenatal counseling regarding prognosis as well as postnatal management and care of the infant. The purpose of this narrative review is to discuss the literature on fetal ventriculomegaly, including postnatal management and neurodevelopmental outcome, and to provide practice recommendations for pediatric neurologists.

Fetal neuroimaging applications for diagnosis and counseling of brain anomalies: Current practice and future diagnostic strategies

Advances in fetal brain neuroimaging, especially fetal neurosonography and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), allow safe and accurate anatomical assessments of fetal brain structures that serve as a foundation for prenatal diagnosis and counseling regarding fetal brain anomalies. Fetal neurosonography strategically assesses fetal brain anomalies suspected by screening ultrasound. Fetal brain MRI has unique technological features that overcome the anatomical limits of smaller fetal brain size and the unpredictable variable of intrauterine motion artifact. Recent studies of fetal brain MRI provide evidence of improved diagnostic and prognostic accuracy, beginning with prenatal diagnosis. Despite technological advances over the last several decades, the combined use of different qualitative structural biomarkers has limitations in providing an accurate prognosis. Quantitative analyses of fetal brain MRIs offer measurable imaging biomarkers that will more accurately associate with clinical outcomes. First-trimester ultrasound opens new opportunities for risk assessment and fetal brain anomaly diagnosis at the earliest time in pregnancy. This review includes a case vignette to illustrate how fetal brain MRI results interpreted by the fetal neurologist can improve diagnostic perspectives. The strength and limitations of conventional ultrasound and fetal brain MRI will be compared with recent research advances in quantitative methods to better correlate fetal neuroimaging biomarkers of neuropathology to predict functional childhood deficits. Discussion of these fetal sonogram and brain MRI advances will highlight the need for further interdisciplinary collaboration using complementary skills to continue improving clinical decision-making following precision medicine principles.

Interdisciplinary fetal neurology care: Current practice, challenges, and future directions

As the field of fetal-neonatal neurology has expanded over the past 2 decades with increasingly complex diagnoses, multidisciplinary collaboration with many subspecialties including genetics, neonatology, obstetrics, maternal fetal medicine, surgical sub-specialties, cardiology, radiology, palliative care, and ethics has needed to evolve to strive to offer optimal patient care. While comprehensive care delivery with an inter-disciplinary approach is preferred, there are often barriers based on numerous health disparities especially in resource limited settings. Even in the context of comprehensive care, diagnostic and prognostic uncertainty lead to challenges for providers during fetal neurology consultations. We present a case that highlights advantages of a comprehensive multi-disciplinary team in caring for the medical and social challenges of patients faced with a fetal neurologic diagnosis. Inter-disciplinary training focusing on maternal, fetal, neonatal, and childhood neurodevelopmental course and collaboration among the numerous stakeholders that contribute to fetal neurology practice is needed to provide optimal counseling and care for families faced with a fetal neurological diagnosis.