Prevalence of Factors involved in intracranial hemorrhage of premature neonates less than 34 weeks' gestation

ABSTRACT

Intracranial hemorrhage is one of the major causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity. It is the most severe cranial problem in that period. Those who survive would be affected by hydrocephalus, encephalomalacia, and finally brain atrophy. With accurate knowledge of risk factors, hemorrhage may be diagnosed earlier and the complications managed earlier. This study was performed in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Imam Khomeini Hospital. All the neonates less than 34 weeks of gestation were undergone intracranial sonography from Feb 2005 to Feb 2006. Sonography was performed via anterior fontanel with proper probe according to neonatal age. 113 neonates less than 34 weeks of gestation have been studied. Mean gestational age was 32 weeks. Mean neonatal weight were 1566 +/- 734 grams. Intracranial hemorrhage was evident in 21% of them; 16.8% was grade 1, 0.9% grade 2, 2.7% grade 3, 0.9% grade 4. The mean weight of neonates with hemorrhage was 1504.11 grams. Intracranial hemorrhage had correlation with respiratory acidosis and pneumothorax. The latter was also correlated with hemorrhage grade. Supposing the safety and non-invasiveness of intacranial sonography, we suggest performing sonography in all premature neonates with low birth weight, and also in those neonates with pneumothorax and respiratory acidosis