Literature Review

Applications of low field MRI in pediatrics and prenatal fetal diagnosis

  • DONG Suzhen ,
  • CHEN Hao ,
  • ZHANG Zhiyong ,
  • JIANG Fan
Expand
  • 1. Department of Radiology, Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, National Children’s Medical Center; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Child Brain and Development, Shanghai 200127, China
    2. School of Biomedical Engineering; National Engineering Research Center of Advanced Magnetic Resonance Technologies for Diagnosis and Therapy (NERC-AMRT), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
    3. Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Technology, Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, National Children’s Medical Center; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Child Brain and Development; Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Technology, Shanghai 200127, China

Received date: 2024-11-05

  Accepted date: 2025-02-06

  Online published: 2025-08-27

Abstract

Generally, the higher the magnetic field strength of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, the greater the likelihood of achieving a higher signal-to-noise ratio and improved image resolution within a shorter scanning time. However, high-field-strength MRI systems are associated with significant limitations, including high acquisition costs, stringent installation requirements, and substantial maintenance expenditures, which collectively hinder their widespread adoption. In contrast, low-field-strength MRI scanners, due to their relatively lower costs and enhanced portability, have increasingly been integrated into clinical practice and related research settings. This review aims to summarize the current diagnostic applications of low-field-strength MRI in pediatric neurological disorders, neonatal intensive care, and prenatal fetal imaging, while also discussing their future potential. This article seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the clinical value and developmental trajectory of low-field-strength MRI in fetal and pediatric diagnosis.

Cite this article

DONG Suzhen , CHEN Hao , ZHANG Zhiyong , JIANG Fan . Applications of low field MRI in pediatrics and prenatal fetal diagnosis[J]. Journal of Clinical Pediatrics, 2025 , 43(9) : 710 -715 . DOI: 10.12372/jcp.2025.24e1182

References

[1] Budinger TF, Bird MD. MRI and MRS of the human brain at magnetic fields of 14 T to 20 T: Technical feasibility, safety, and neuroscience horizons[J]. Neuroimage, 2018, 168: 509-531.
[2] Cao ZP, Park J, Cho ZH, et al. Numerical evaluation of image homogeneity, signal-to-noise ratio, and specific absorption rate for human brain imaging at 1.5, 3, 7, 10.5, and 14T in an 8-channel transmit/receive array[J]. J Magn Reson Imaging, 2015, 41(5): 1432-1439.
[3] Yuen MM, Prabhat AM, Mazurek MH, et al. Portable, low-field magnetic resonance imaging enables highly accessible and dynamic bedside evaluation of ischemic stroke[J]. Sci Adv, 2022, 8(16): eabm3952.
[4] Arnold TC, Freeman CW, Litt B, et al. Low-field MRI: Clinical promise and challenges[J]. J Magn Reson Imaging, 2023, 57(1): 25-44.
[5] Stanisz GJ, Odrobina EE, Pun J, et al. T1, T2 relaxation and magnetization transfer in tissue at 3T[J]. Magn Reson Med, 2005, 54(3): 507-512.
[6] Escanye JM, Canet D, Robert J. Frequency-dependence of water proton longitudinal nuclear magnetic-relaxation times in mouse-tissues at 20-degrees-C[J]. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1982, 721(3): 305-311.
[7] Morelli JN, Runge VM, Ai F, et al. An image-based approach to understanding the physics of MR artifacts[J]. Radiographics, 2011, 31(3): 849-866.
[8] Basar B, Sonmez M, Yildirim DK, et al. Susceptibility artifacts from metallic markers and cardiac catheterization devices on a high-performance 0.55 T MRI system[J]. Magn Reson Imaging, 2021, 77: 14-20.
[9] Shellock FG. Biomedical implants and devices: Assessment of magnetic field interactions with a 3.0-Tesla MR system[J]. J Magn Reson Imaging, 2002, 16(6): 721-732.
[10] Qiu YQ, Dai K, Zhong SJ, et al. Spatiotemporal encoding MRI in a portable low-field system[J]. Magn Reson Med, 2024, 92(3): 1011-1021.
[11] Qiu YQ, Chen S, Solomon E, et al. A new approach for multislice spatiotemporal encoding MRI in a portable low-field system[J]. Magn Reson Med, 2024: doi: 10.1002/mrm.30300.
[12] He YC, He W, Tan L, et al. Use of 2.1 MHz MRI scanner for brain imaging and its preliminary results in stroke[J]. J Magn Reson, 2020, 319: 106829.
[13] Liu YL, Leong ATL, Zhao YJ, et al. A low-cost and shielding-free ultra-low-field brain MRI scanner[J]. Nat Commun, 2021, 12(1): 7238.
[14] Cooley CZ, McDaniel PC, Stockmann JP, et al. A portable scanner for magnetic resonance imaging of the brain[J]. Nat Biomed Eng, 2021, 5(3): 229-239.
[15] Zhao YJ, Ding Y, Lau V, et al. Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging at 0.05 Tesla[J]. Science, 2024, 384(6696): eadm7168.
[16] Ayde R, Vornehm M, Zhao YJ, et al. MRI at low field: A review of software solutions for improving SNR[J]. NMR Biomed, 2024: e5268.
[17] Srinivas SA, Cauley SF, Stockmann JP, et al. External Dynamic InTerference Estimation and Removal (EDITER) for low field MRI[J]. Magn Reson Med, 2022, 87(2): 614-628.
[18] Zhao YJ, Xiao LF, Liu YL, et al. Electromagnetic interference elimination via active sensing and deep learning prediction for radiofrequency shielding-free MRI[J]. NMR Biomed, 2024, 37(7): e4956.
[19] Zhao YJ, Xiao LF, Hu JH, et al. Robust EMI elimination for RF shielding-free MRI through deep learning direct MR signal prediction[J]. Magn Reson Med, 2024, 92(1): 112-127.
[20] Howell BR, Styner MA, Gao W, et al. The UNC/UMN Baby Connectome Project (BCP): An overview of the study design and protocol development[J]. Neuroimage, 2019, 185: 891-905.
[21] Edwards AD, Rueckert D, Smith SM, et al. The Developing Human Connectome Project Neonatal Data Release[J]. Front Neurosci-Switz, 2022, 16: 886772.
[22] Deoni SCL, Bruchhage MMK, Beauchemin J, et al. Accessible pediatric neuroimaging using a low field strength MRI scanner[J]. Neuroimage, 2021, 238: 118273.
[23] Shen FX, Wolf SM, Bhavnani S, et al. Emerging ethical issues raised by highly portable MRI research in remote and resource-limited international settings[J]. Neuroimage, 2021, 238: 118210.
[24] Sien ME, Robinson AL, Hu HH, et al. Feasibility of and experience using a portable MRI scanner in the neonatal intensive care unit[J]. Arch Dis Child-Fetal, 2023, 108(1): F45-F50.
[25] Heiss R, Nagel AM, Lain FB, et al. Low-field magnetic resonance imaging[J]. Invest Radiol, 2021, 56(11): 726-733.
[26] Padormo F, Cawley P, Dillon L, et al. In vivo T1 mapping of neonatal brain tissue at 64 mT[J]. Magn Reson Med, 2023, 89(3): 1016-1025.
[27] Cawley P, Padormo F, Cromb D, et al. Development of neonatal-specific sequences for portable ultralow field magnetic resonance brain imaging: a prospective, single-centre, cohort study[J]. Eclinicalmedicine, 2023, 65: 102253.
[28] Ren JY, Zhu M, Wang GH, et al. Quantification of intracranial structures volume in fetuses using 3-D volumetric MRI: Normal values at 19 to 37 weeks' gestation[J]. Front Neurosci-Switz, 2022, 16: 886083.
[29] Danzer E, Eppley E, Edgar JC, et al. Effects of 1.5-T versus 3-T magnetic resonance imaging in fetuses: is there a difference in postnatal neurodevelopmental outcome? Evaluation in a fetal population with left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia[J]. Pediatr Radiol, 2023, 53(6): 1085-1091.
[30] Verdera JA, Story L, Hall M, et al. Reliability and feasibility of low-field-strength fetal MRI at 0.55 T during pregnancy[J]. Radiology, 2023, 309(1): e223050.
[31] Ponrartana S, Nguyen HN, Cui SX, et al. Low-field 0.55 T MRI evaluation of the fetus[J]. Pediatr Radiol, 2023, 53(7): 1469-1475.
[32] Marques JP, Simonis FFJ, Webb AG. Low-field MRI: An MR physics perspective[J]. J Magn Reson Imaging, 2019, 49(6): 1528-1542.
[33] Man CSP, Lau V, Su S, et al. Deep learning enabled fast 3D brain MRI at 0.055 tesla[J]. Sci Adv, 2023, 9(38): eadi9327.
Outlines

/