Cranial ultrasound findings in late preterm infants and correlation with perinatal risk factors

摘要

Background Late preterm infants are the most represented premature babies. They are exposed to a wide spectrum of brain lesions which are often clinically silent, supporting a possible role of cerebral ultrasound screening. Aim of the study is to describe the pattern of cranial ultrasound abnormalities in late preterm infants and to define the need for cranial ultrasound according to perinatal risk factors. Methods A hospital-based cranial ultrasound screening was carried out by performing two scans (at 1 and 5?weeks). Unfavorable cranial ultrasound at 5?weeks was defined as either persistent periventricular hyperechogenicity or severe abnormalities. Results One thousand one hundred seventy-two infants were included. Periventricular hyperechogenicity and severe abnormalities were observed in, respectively, 19.6?% and 1?% of late preterms at birth versus 1.8?% and 1.4?% at 5?weeks. Periventricular hyperechogenicity resolved in 91.3?%. At the univariate analysis gestational age (OR 0.5, 95?% CI 0.32-0.77), Apgar score Conclusion Gestational age and comorbitidies are the most important risk factors for detecting brain lesions. The combination of being born at 34?weeks and developing RDS represents the strongest indication to perform a cranial ultrasound. Differently from other studies, twin pregnancy doesn’t represent a risk factor.