Clinical Study of Neonatal Adrenal Lemorrhage

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Neonatal adrenal hemorrhage is not rare disease which can be caused by such risk factors as sepsis, large baby, birth trauma and asphyxia. The clinical manifestations include jaundice, anemia, abdominal mass and differentiation from neuroblastoma, renal vein thrombosis and adrenal abscess is needed. Through the clinical assessment of presenting features, we hope that this study be of any help to early detection and proper management of neonatal adrenal hemorrhage. METHODS: The 16 subjects out of neonates admitted to our hospital from July 1991 to June 1997 were diagnosed as neonatal adrenal hemorrhage. The risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods and prognosis of neonatal adrenal hemorrhage were evaluated in these 16 cases. RESULTS: 1) Among 16 cases, males were 10 (62.5%) and females were 6 (37.5%). Mean birth weight was 3.601.08kg and mean gestational age was 39.82+1.08 week, and all were fullterm babies. In modes of delivery, vaginal deliveries were 12 cases (75.0%) and cesarean sections were 4 cases (25.0%). 2) 13 cases (81.2%) were involved in right side, 2 cases (12.5%) in left side and 1 case (6.3%) bilaterally. 3) The risk factors include sepsis in 6 cases (37.5%), large baby in 5 cases (31.3%), birth trauma in 5 cases<31.3%) and asphyxia in 3 cases (18.8%). 4) The clinical manifestations include jaundice in 7 cases (43.8%), anemia in 7 cases (43.8%), fever in 6 cases (37.5%) and abdominal mass in 3 cases (18.8%). 5) In the time of diagnosis, until 7 days of birth were 9 cases (56.2%), 8-14 days were 3 cases (18.8%), 15-21 days were 2 cases (12.5%) and 22-28 days were 2 cases (12.5%). Follow-up studies were done in 13 cases (81.2%), and tha lesions all decreased without any specific complications or sequelae. CONCLUSION: Neonatal adrenal hemorrhage can be diagnosed by abdominal ultrasono- gram in the presence of suggestive manifestations of jaundice, anemia, fever and abdominal mass, with relatively good prognosis. Differentiation from other conditions as well as avoidance of unnecessary explorations can be achieved by serial follow-up examinations of abdominal ultrasonogram.