Newborn cerebellar size.

The cerebellum can be visualized ultrasonically in preterm and full-term newborn infants. A cross-sectional area measurement of the central portion of the vermis correlated with gestational age (r = .98) when growth was normal (N = 51). Central vermian area was decreased in small-for-date newborn infants (N = 10) but was normal in large for date (diabetic pregnancy) subjects (N = 6). Ultrasonic cerebellar visualization and central vermian area measurement may be extended antenatally as an additional measurement of fetal brain growth.