Abstract
Background: Imaging in neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is useful in predicting outcome, withdrawing care and excluding other causes of NE. There is little consensus about timing and ideal imaging modality.
Aim: To compare practice variations in the use of neuroimaging in NE.
Method: Web based anonymous survey questionnaire, was sent to neonatal trainees across 9 countries participating in the European neonatal online training.
Results: There were 20 responses. 16/19 units performed cranial ultrasounds either on admission or day 1; twelve on day 3; ten weekly or fortnightly till discharge; fourteen at discharge and five post discharge. 3 units did not have a specific protocol. Views through the anterior fontanelle were routinely performed in all units and 8/19 also performed through posterior fontanelle and mastoid. 11/19 ultrasounds were performed by the neonatal consultants, in 5 units by radiologists and in 3 units only by neonatal trainees. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was only performed routinely in 9/18 units. Early MRI (< 5 days) was done in 2 units and in 15 between 5-14 days. T1 and T2 weighted axial sequences were routinely obtained in 10 and 2 units respectively. One unit had a perinatal radiologist reporting MRI, 12 were reported by paediatric radiologists. Repeat MRIs were not done in 4 units. 14/18 of the trainees felt that MRI should be routinely performed in NE although this was not done in their neonatal unit.
Conclusions: Neonatal units internationally worldwide followed different practices with regards to imaging in NE.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Consortia
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Merchant, N., Ojha, S., Bolk, J. et al. International Trends in Neuroimaging in Neonatal Encephalopathy. Pediatr Res 70 (Suppl 5), 194 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2011.419
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2011.419