**Intracranial Hemorrhage in the Newborn**

Shahina Bano, Vikas Chaudhary, Umesh Chandra Garga, Sachchidanand Yadav and Sachin Kumar Singh

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/58476

## **1. Introduction**

Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a major source of neonatal morbidity and mortality. In fullterm infants, it most often occurs during labor as the result of mechanical factors; however, in the pre-term infants it can occur even prior to labor or as late as the second week of life usually as a result of hemodynamic instability. Besides etiology, the location of hemorrhage, clinical presentation and neurological outcome also differs in the term and preterm infants. It is important for the radiologists to provide an accurate anatomic description of the compart‐ ment(s) confining the hemorrhage, as correct location may be an indicator to the underlying cause and provide a roadmap to the neurosurgeons if intervention is required. The knowledge of the anatomic compartments is vital for interpreting the imaging findings in case of ICH and formulating a differential diagnosis. Cranial ultrasound is often used as the first imaging modality for newborns. CT is the preferred diagnostic study for evaluation of acute intracranial hemorrhage. MRI is indicated when subarachnoid bleed or posterior fossa hemorrhage is suspected. Prevention of ICH is a subject of great interest in premature newborns. Prenatal prophylaxis and improved obstetric and neonatal care in general markedly reduces the stress to premature fetus and neonate.
