The applicability of magnetic resonance imaging classification system (MRICS) for cerebral palsy and its association with perinatal factors and related disabilities in a Croatian population-based sample.

Aim: To investigate the association of cerebral palsy motor disorders, perinatal factors, and related disabilities with brain magnetic resonance imaging classification score (MRICS)-based groups in a population-based sample.

Methods: The study enrolled children with cerebral palsy born from 2003 to 2015 treated at Split University Hospital who underwent brain MRI scanning. Perinatal data (plurality, birth weight, gestational age, and Apgar score) were collected from hospital records. Motor disorders of cerebral palsy (gross and fine motor function) and the related disabilities (intellectual status, speech and eating ability, epilepsy, vision and hearing status) were evaluated with neurological status assessment. Neuroimaging findings were presented as MRICS-based groups.

Results: Of 115 enrolled children, an abnormal finding on brain MRI was confirmed in 95%, including white matter injury (66%), maldevelopments (13.9%), gray matter injury (9.6%), and miscellaneous findings (6.1%). Gross and fine motor function were not significantly associated with MRICS-based group. All related disabilities and perinatal factors, except Apgar score, were significantly associated with MRICS-based group.

Conclusion: Brain MRICS-based groups were associated with perinatal risk factors and related disabilities of cerebral palsy, but not with common motor disorders. MRI classification score is a reliable diagnostic tool, which strongly correlates with perinatal factors and related disabilities of cerebral palsy.