Universal Head Ultrasound Screening in Full-Term Neonates: A Retrospective Analysis of 6771 Infants

Publication date: Available online 30 March 2017
Source:Pediatric Neurology
Author(s): Elisa Ballardini, Anna Tarocco, Chiara Rosignoli, Alessandro Baldan, Caterina Borgna-Pignatti, Giampaolo Garani
BackgroundFull-term neonates may have asymptomatic cranial injuries at birth and HUS could be useful for early diagnosis. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and type of intracranial abnormalities and the usefulness of HUS in these infants.MethodsA HUS was performed on all full-term neonates (gestational age between 37 and 42 weeks), born at Sant'Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, Italy, from June 1, 2008 through May 31, 2013.Ultrasound findings were categorized into three groups: normal, minor and major anomalies.ResultsAll full-term neonates (6,771) born at our hospital underwent HUS. 114/6771 (1.7%) presented ultrasound abnormalities, while 6,657 were normal (or insignificant). In 101/114 (88.6%), abnormalities were minor and only 13 infants were affected by major abnormalities (0.19% of all full-term newborns). All neonates with major abnormalities presented with either microcephaly or abnormal neurological evaluations. Only one case of major abnormalities was detected exclusively by ultrasound.ConclusionsThe number of significant anomalies detected by HUS in asymptomatic full-term neonates born during the study period was low. Therefore, according to data collected in this study, we believe that there is no indication for routine general HUS in these patients. However, even if low, in neonates who have neurological abnormalities, risk factors or suspected brain malformations, HUS may play an important role in the early diagnosis of intracranial anomalies.



http://ift.tt/2okgu7B