RT Journal
A1 DiMario FJ, Jr, Clancy R
T1 SYmmetrical thalamic degeneration with calcifications of infancy
JF American Journal of Diseases of Children
JO American Journal of Diseases of Children
YR 1989
FD September 1
VO 143
IS 9
SP 1056
OP 1060
DO 10.1001/archpedi.1989.02150210090024
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1989.02150210090024
AB • We describe the clinical and radiographic features of three premature infants with symmetric thalamic calcification recognized by computed tomographic scan on days 6, 12, and 49 of life and contrast our findings with those reported in the literature. These lesions follow prepartum or intrapartum hypoxiaischemia and are clinically distinguished by prominent bulbar dysfunction, featuring weak or absent cry, poor feeding, and facial weakness. Neonatal thalamic calcification in premature infants may serve as a radiological marker of an acute, shortlived hypoxic-ischemic event. The presence of brain-stem dysfunction, particularly of lower cranial nerves in association with thalamic calcifications, constitutes a distinctive clinical-radiological entity and usually portends a poor outcome. The presence of these calcifications implies that injury was sustained to diencephalic and brain-stem structures at least 2 to 4 weeks prior to their appearance on computed tomographic scan.(AJDC. 1989;143:1056-1960)