Intracranial hemorrhage in newborns with hemophilia: the role of screening radiologic studies in the first 7 days of life.
In newborns with hemophilia, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a potentially life-threatening event and in those who survive, there is a risk of long-term neurologic sequelae. A single-center retrospective chart review was performed to look at the utility of central nervous system screening of babies who were diagnosed with moderate or severe hemophilia in the first 7 days of life. Twenty of the twenty-two eligible babies had either a head ultrasound or computerized tomography of the head performed as soon as possible after the diagnosis of hemophilia was confirmed. ICH was found in 3 of the 20 newborns. All patients with ICH had instrument-assisted deliveries with extracranial signs of bleeding/trauma. On the basis of this series we found screening to be safe and effective in recognizing ICH. As a result of this approach, all ICHs were found when they were radiographically small and before the babies had neurologic symptoms.
Smith
Angela R
AR
Department of Pediatric Hematology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. smith719@umn.edu
Leonard
Nicole
N
Kurth
Margaret Heisel
MH
D005260:Female; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D020300:Intracranial Hemorrhages / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography