الفهرس 
Screening of intracranial abnormalities in preterm neonates using cranial sonography
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Abstract
Preterm neonates are exposed to wide spectrum of intracranial abnormalities which are often clinically silent, supporting a possible role of cranial ultrasound screening. This study was carried out to describe the pattern of intracranial abnormalities in preterm neonates less than 34 weeks of gestation admitted in NICU, Cairo University hospital and identify factors associated with increased incidence of intracranial abnormalities.
Patients and methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted on 33 preterm neonates born at gestational age less than 34 weeks and admitted to NICU-Cairo university hospitals from October 2020 till April 2021. Cranial ultrasound examination was done for every neonate, demographic and clinical data were collected. Data collected from the records were computerized and analysed using SPSS version 20.
Results:Results of the study showed that abnormal ultrasound findings were found in 30.3 % of the studied group and 69.7 % were found to be normal. There was significant association between low gestational age and abnormal ultrasound findings (p<0.05). Also Neonates needed mechanical ventilation, with low APGAR score and had neurological symptoms during their stay in NICU showed increased incidence of intracranial abnormalities.
Conclusion and recommendations:The overall findings of the study showed that gestational age itself is the most important risk factor for detecting intracranial abnormalities. Cranial ultrasound is a useful bedside modality for screening preterm neonates admitted in NICU. So routine cranial ultrasound examination is recommended for preterm neonates in the first week, and a follow up US needed later to detect white matter injury.