Role of Ultrasound in Early Detection of Hydrocephalus in Preterm Neonates with Emphasis on Doppler Indices

Ahmed, Hala Nashaat; Issa, Ahmed N.; Abdelkader, Moustafa N.; Waly Eldin, Marwa

doi:10.21608/anj.2025.395731.1116

	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
View on SCiNiTO
Authors
Hala Nashaat Ahmed ¹; Ahmed N. Issa¹; Moustafa N. Abdelkader¹; Marwa Waly Eldin ²
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


Statistics Article View: 33