Objective
To investigate the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings for children with cerebral palsy (CP) and the severity of their developmental disability.

Method
MRI and Münchener Funktionelle Entwicklungs Diagnostik (MFED) were used for the evaluation of 52 children with CP. MFED quotient (MFED age/corrected age⁓100) was compared to the MRI findings.

Results
Of the 52 MRIs, no abnormalities were found in 7 cases (13%), periventricular leukomalacias (PVLs) in 37 cases (71.2%), corpus callosum abnormalities in 33 cases (63.5%), delayed myelinations in 8 cases (15.4%), congenital brain abnormalities in 6 cases (11.5%), and central sulcus abnormalities in 3 cases (5.8%). Among 27 patients who were born preterm, the major MRI finding was PVL (100%), indicative of a hypoxic brain injury. All patients with a normal MRI were born at term. There were significant correlations between the MFED quotient and the severity of PVL. The ratio of corpus callosum length/brain anteroposterior diameter was correlated with a developmental disability.

Conclusion
MRI findings for the patients with CP are well correlated with the developmental disabilities and the timing of brain insult.