Intracranial epidural hematoma in newborn infants: clinical study of 15 cases

Abstract

Objective: Epidural hematoma (EDH) in newborn infants is rare. We have described the history of 15 newborns with EDH to provide a better understanding of this pathology.

Methods: This is a descriptive case series study using a retrospective review of the medical records of newborns who were admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Neurosurgery Department with the diagnosis of birth EDH over a 24-year period (1979-2002).

Results: There was no sex predominance, and most of the mothers were young, nulliparous women. The time latency from birth to the first signs varied from 0 to 24 hours. Clinical presentation was nonspecific: seizures and hypotonia were the main symptoms. The parietal area was the most frequent location. Surgical drainage was required in nine patients, and no deaths were reported.

Conclusion: This report highlights the clinicoradiological characteristics of newborn EDH, which occurs more frequently in newborns that experienced difficult delivery from a nulliparous mother. Surgery is not a rule; some patients can be managed with conservative treatment. The outcome is generally good.