PRENATAL SONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE - REPORT OFA CASE WITH A SINUSOIDAL FETAL HEART-RATE TRACING, AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

The sinusoidal fetal heart rate pattern has been described in associat ion with severe fetal anaemia, with fetal hypoxaemia, and with the adm inistration of parenteral narcotics. Here, we report a case of decreas ed fetal movement in which a sinusoidal tracing was recorded. The sono graphic diagnosis of a massive fetal intracranial haemorrhage was made . A non-interventive approach was taken and the fetus died soon after in utero. We review 28 previous cases in which the prenatal sonographi c diagnosis of fetal intracranial haemorrhage was made, including the underlying maternal and fetal factors and neonatal outcomes. We propos e that the sinusoidal tracing in this case was due to the intracranial bleed and suggest that fetal intracranial haemorrhage be considered i n the sonographic evaluation of the fetus with a sinusoidal pattern.