Prevalence of Neuroabnormalities in Preterm Neonates: A Study Using Ultrasonography at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Over the years, ultrasound imaging has been used to diagnose neurological abnormalities of neonates in general and premature infants in particular. This is because the anatomy of the neonatal brain can be demonstrated on ultrasound images with high precision. Neonatal sonography is possible because the fontanelles of the skull allows ultrasound beam to penetrate to the brain tissue. In Ghana, little or no data is available on the prevalence of neuroabnormalities in premature babies. Aim: To determine the prevalence of neurological abnormalities in preterm neonates at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Methodology: The study was done at the NICU of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital using a 2D mobile ultrasound machine with Doppler application (SonoScape SSI-6000, 2012). Purposive sample size was determined by the formula: N=Xp t (where Xp is preterm neonates admitted daily, t is sampling time and N is sample size). The cranial ultrasound was performed through the anterior fontanelle of the preterm babies in the incubator or baby cot. The brain was examined and the neurosonographic findings recorded. Data collected was analyzed using computer software, Microsoft Excel for windows 2007. Results: The prevalence of preterm neuropathologies was %15 (18) of the sample size of 120. Neuroabnormalities of preterm neonates studied were numerically significant in neonates delivered at lower gestational age (<30weeks). Conclusion: The study showed 15% prevalence rate of brain abnormalities. Also an association was established between PROM and premature neonatal neuropathologies.