Antenatal Cerebral Hemorrhages: Evolution and Outcome

Abstract

Cerebral hemorrhage can affect the fetus. Clinical signs usually suggest the presence of cerebral hemorrhage and it can be confirmed by ultrasound during the fetal or early neonatal period. The first part of this paper investigates the usefulness of neonatal cerebral ultrasound screening in term neonates, in order to detect antenatal/perinatal cerebral hemorrhage. Three newborns with antenatal cerebral hemorrhage are presented. A diagnosis and investigation algorithm consisting of five questions is proposed for each case: 'When did the hemorrhage occur?', 'What is the diagnosis?', 'Are there neonatal consequences?' 'Other lesions?' and 'What is the prognosis?'.