Role of Ultrasound in Early Detection of Hydrocephalus in Preterm Neonates with Emphasis on Doppler Indices | ||
| Annals of Neonatology | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 29 July 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/anj.2025.395731.1116 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Hala Nashaat Ahmed* 1; Ahmed N. Issa1; Moustafa N. Abdelkader1; Marwa Waly Eldin2 | ||
| 1Radio-diagnosis Department, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt | ||
| 2Pediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| B Background: Cranial ultrasonography (CUS) is a safe, bedside imaging tool commonly used in NICUs. It provides real-time visualization of the ventricles and can detect signs of hydrocephalus. Doppler ultrasound evaluates cerebral blood flow using indices like peak systolic velocity (PSV) and resistive index (RI) Aim: To evaluate the role of ultrasonography and Doppler indices in early detection of hydrocephalus changes in preterm neonates. Patients and methods: This prospective case control study conducted on 40 preterm newborns (< 37 weeks), equally divided into two groups: group A (n = 20) with clinical and/or radiological proof of hydrocephalus, and group B (n = 20) without evidence of clinical and/or radiological proof of hydrocephalus, with age and sex matched with the formal group. Results: Cranial ultrasonography revealed hydrocephalus and associated brain malformations in all patients (p<0.001) with 60% non-communicating group and 40% communicating group. Peak systolic velocity (PSV) and RI of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and internal carotid artery (ICA) were higher in hydrocephalic group than control group (p< 0.001). A statistically significant difference was found in birth weight (p = 0.013), with higher proportion of very low birthweight infants (<1.5 kg) in the hydrocephalic group (60%) than controls (15%). Perinatal and neonatal risk factors were more common among cases (p = 0.006 and p = 0.02, respectively). Conclusion: Cranial ultrasound with Doppler is a useful non-invasive tool for early detection of hydrocephalus in preterm neonates. Doppler changes, especially resistive index (RI) in cerebral arteries can help in early identification and intervention. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Key words: Preterm neonates; Hydrocephalus; Cranial ultrasonography; RI; PSV | ||
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