Cranial magnetic resonance imaging examination of normal term neonates: A pilot study

This pilot study's aim was to determine, using magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI), if and to what extent asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurs in normal term neonates after uncomplicated vaginal deliveries. Eight normal, term, vaginally delivered infants and three cesarean-section deliveries use d as controls underwent: cranial MRI. No sedation was administered. Small s ubdural hematomas of the fair cerebri or tentorium cerebelli were found in half of those with an uneventful vaginal delivery. Pediatric follow-up, on average 3.9 years after the MRI study was performed, demonstrated normal gr owth and development. It appears that more data is needed to confirm the ob servation that the intracranial hemorrhages described should not be conside red the etiology for neurologic abnormalities present in symptomatic neonat es.