Asymmetry of fetal cerebral hemispheres: in utero ultrasound study
R Hering-Hanita, R Achironb, S Lipitzb, A Achironc
a Department of
Neurology, Meir General Hospital, Sapir Medical Center, Kfar Saba,
Israel, b Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel
Hashomer, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel, c Neuroimmunology Unit, The Chaim Sheba Medical
Center
Correspondence to: Dr Hering-Hanit achiron{at}post.tau.ac.il
Accepted 25 June 2001
BACKGROUND
Slight
morphological asymmetry of the cerebral hemispheres has been observed
in fetal and newborn brains. In adults, sex differences in hemispheric
asymmetry have also been reported.
OBJECTIVETo establish
whether cerebral hemisphere asymmetry correlates with sex in fetuses.
METHODSLeft-right
cerebral hemisphere asymmetry, and the correlation with sex, were
studied in 51 male and 51 female fetuses of 20-22 weeks gestation,
using diagnostic ultrasound scanning.
RESULTSA total of 102 fetuses were examined. The diameter of the left hemisphere was larger
than that of the right, in both female and male fetuses. The mean (SEM)
diameter of the left hemisphere was 2.804 (0.174) cm in female fetuses
and 2.781 (0.287) cm in male fetuses; the corresponding values for the
right hemisphere were 2.627 (0.192) cm and 2.681 (0.267) cm. There was
no sex related difference between hemispheric diameters. The
interhemispheric difference was significant for both sexes: male
fetuses, p = 0.017; female fetuses, p = 0.016.
CONCLUSIONSLeft-right
fetal brain asymmetry, as measured by in utero ultrasound examination,
is apparent at 20-22 weeks gestation regardless of sex.
Keywords: in utero; ultrasound; cerebral asymmetry; brain
© 2001 by Archives of Disease in Childhood
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