Cranial ultrasonography and doppler in neonates: an observational study

Abstract

Background: The CUS and transcranial doppler sonography is an emerging technique used in neonatal intensive care unit. It is noninvasive, ionizing, portable, safe and inexpensive for serial and long-term studies. Objectives of this study were to study intracranial abnormalities in neonates using ultra sonography on 3rd and 7th day of life and to study ACA blood flow velocity and RI (Resistive index) in neonates on 3rd and 7th day of life.Methods: It was a prospective observational study conducted on 229 neonates at NICU, Department of Pediatrics, Dr. D. Y. Patil Hospital and Research Institute, Kolhapur. During August 2015 to August 2017. After obtaining Informed consent from the parents/guardian details were recorded in a pre-designed pretested, structured proforma. Detailed clinical examination and Cranial ultrasound and doppler evaluation was performed on 3rd and on 7th post-natal day.Results: In the present study, out of 229 study participants, 65.5% were preterm, 34.5% were term. 67.2% had abnormal CUS findings. The PVHE, ICH, PVL, cyst and edema were common cranial abnormalities. These were statistically significant on 3rd day with gestational age, birth weight, low APGAR Score. Out of 229 neonates 58.9% had low, 35.3% normal and 5.8% had high RI index. Statistically significant association was found between gestational age, birth weight and APGAR score. Doppler analysis done on 3rd and 7th day showed rise in systolic and diastolic velocities regardless of the gestational age.Conclusions: Study concludes that CUS and Doppler is an ideal tool to detect various intracranial lesions efficiently in non-invasive manner.