Question
Doctor, my friend just got married this year. A week ago, she gave birth to a male baby prematurely. The baby weighs only 5 jin and 2 liang. The doctor has done a brain MRI. What is the purpose of the brain MRI for premature infants? Are there any risks involved?
Answer
Brain MRI can detect brain tumors, white matter changes, congenital brain maldevelopment, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral angiomas, and other brain diseases. Compared to computerized tomography (CT), MRI is more effective in detecting changes in the skull base and brainstem. MRI is a non-harmful imaging method, especially suitable for neonatal examinations. Unlike CT scans, which release a certain amount of radiation and have an impact on the human body, MRI does not pose such risks.