الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Preterm neonates less than 37 weeks of gestational age are more liable to hemorrhagic and ischemic brain lesions due to the immaturity of capillary bed, cerebral auto-regulation and vascular anastomosis, with consequent adverse outcome, poor cognitive development, and cerebral palsy.
Cranial ultrasound is a safe imaging modality with no need to radiation exposure or sedation. It has the strong advantage of being portable and can be performed bedside. The disadvantage of being operator dependent which can be solved by proper training of the sonographers and radiologists.
Preterms screening study was performed in the neonatal ICU over a period of 9 months.
The incidence of significant anomalies detected by cranial ultrasonography screening in preterm neonates showed a statistically significant association with gestational age (higher in early preterms).
The incidence of significant anomalies detected by cranial ultrasonography screening in preterm neonates did not show a statistically significant association with gender and mode of delivery.
The importance of preterm screening by cranial ultrasound is sustained by the observation that most preterm neonates with abnormal CUS are usually asymptomatic. Only occasionally these patients develop symptoms (seizures or other neurological symptoms).
Hemorrhagic brain lesions (GMH and IVH) were the most frequent finding. Ischemic brain insults (PVL) were also detected. Two relatively common congenital brain anomalies were detected (DWM and complete agenesis of CC) in addition to congenital porencephalic cyst.
Mild grades of GMH and PVL showed regressive course while the severe grades of GMH deteriorated clinically and died.
Linear high frequency probe of ultrasound was of great benefit in better visualization of anatomical details and mild pathological lesions.
Small number of the study population, short study time and limited follow up were the main limitations of this study.