Intracranial hemorrhage in full-term neonates by ultrasonography

ABSTRACT

Intracranial hemorrhage is the most common neuropathologic finding in premature infants. But in full-term infants, it is less common and rarely causes death. We found out intracranial hemorrhages in 21 full-term neonates by real-time neurosonography and concluded as followings. 1) Among 21 neonates, 17 infants were male and 4 infants were female. 2) In 11 (52.3%) infants the hemorrhage was detected within 7 days after birth. 3) The intracranial hemorrhage was not related with delivery type nor Apgar score. 4) In 13 cases (61.9%) the hemorrhage was in the subependymal germinal matrix and the degree was Grade I. 5) Precipitating or associated factors were asphyxia, pneumonia, ventilator care, RDS and congenital heart disease. 6) Symptoms and signs were seizure, apnea, lethargy, cyanosis, jaundice, anemia or bulging fontanel.