الفهرس 
Title : Surveillance Protocol for the Detection of Intracranial Abnormalities by Cranial Ultrasonography in Premature Neonates
ContentsOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Introduction: Preterm newborns are exposed to several risk factors for developing brain injuries. Cranial ultrasonography is an important investigation for evaluation and follow up of the neurological status of preterm neonates in the presence or absence of neurological symptoms.
Aim of work: to screen high risk preterm neonates admitted at NICU using cranial ultrasonography in 1st week of life to identify the various cranial pathologies secondary to prematurity and to follow up the abnormal findings before hospital discharge.
Patients and methods: This study was carried out on 100 preterm neonates who were collected from NICU of Children Hospital, Cairo University, data was collected from patients sheets, clinical examination was done, anthropometric measurements taken, maternal history including (obstetric history, maternal illness and risk factors) was studied. the included neonates had at least 2 cranial US examination, one in the first week and the other before discharge.
Results: Our study found that 36% had abnormal cranial ultrasonography in the form of intracranial hemorrhage (28%), hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (4%), dilated ventricular system (2%), brain malformation (1%) and periventricular leukomalacia (1%). Neurological manifestations including hypotonia, hyporeflexia, weak suckling, wide anterior fontanelle and seizures were significantly more among neonates with abnormal cranial ultrasonography. Follow up results of cranial ultrasonography of the included preterm neonates shows that the percentage of ICH increased from 26% to 35% while HIE remains by the same percentage and only 1 of the 2 preterm neonates still have dilated lateral ventricles (1%), and only 1 neonates developed periventricular increased echogenicity.
Conclusion: Cranial ultrasonography is a useful rapid bedside technique that can help in early detection of cranial abnormalities, follow up for detection of new lesions and in follow up of progression of already presenting lesions for better management and prevention of neurodevelopmental problems.