Assessment of variability in cortical development in late-onset IUGR fetuses using foetal MRI.

The study will enroll all clinically referred participants based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria during the designated period. Demographic details in the form of age, hospital number, and period of gestation as per last USG would be recorded. Written informed consent will be taken from the patients and PCPNDT F form would be filled and signed by the radiologist and the patient.

Imaging process will be performed after 4 hours of fasting and without sedation, while the patient will be positioned in supine. Brain MRI will be taken at 3 different orthogonal planes. If motion artifact degradation is detected, the sequence will be repeated until a satisfactory image is obtained.

Following parameters will be measured and recorded:

Fissure depths- Biparietal diameter, Bilateral insular depths, bilateral cingulate fissure depths

Cortical thickness- Bilateral insula, temporal lobe, frontal lobe, occipital lobe, corpus callosum length Area-

Areas: Whole brain area, Cerebellum, Corpus callosum

The patient will be followed up till birth and following perinatal outcomes would be assessed at birth Gestational age at birth(weeks), birthweight (in grams), Neonatal acidosis, APGAR score at 5 mins, NICU stay length(days), Other perinatal complications. Radiological findings would be analyzed and statistically significant parameters would be put forth as neuro-imaging biomarkers for assessing cortical development in-utero. If any incidental pathology/defect is discovered in the foetus, findings will be communicated to the referring obstetrician to decide the further course of action.