Neonatal Med.  2013 Feb;20(1):113-120. 10.5385/nm.2013.20.1.113.

The Clinical Characteristics and the Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of the Neonates with Cerebellar Hemorrhage

• Kim C
• Choi GY
• Son SH
• Kim YJ
• Shin SH
• Lee JM
• Lee JY
• Sohn JA
• Lee JA
• Choi CW
• Kim EK
• Kim HS
• Kim BI
• Choi JH

• KMID: 2052463
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5385/nm.2013.20.1.113

Abstract

PURPOSE
We present our experience of 14 neonates with cerebellar hemorrhage and describe the clinical characteristics and the neurodevelopmental outcomes.
METHODS
Fourteen neonates were identified as having cerebellar hemorrhage, based on the brain MRI findings at the two university hospitals from January 2007 to July 2011. Twelve preterm infants with the brain MRI taken before the discharge, and 2 term infants having taken the brain MRI with birth asphyxia were enrolled. The electronic medical records of the infants were reviewed.
RESULTS
Ten (71.4%) infants were found to have multifocal or lobar cerebellar hemorrhage involving both hemispheres. Three infants had unilateral lesions in the right hemisphere, and one infant had a left hemisphere lesion. Six infants (42%) had co-existing high grade IVH (> or =grade III); 6 infants (42%) had periventricular leukomalacia (PVL); and 6 infants (42%) had posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH). After discharge, 12 infants (85.7%) were followed at the outpatient clinics for at least 6 months. Two out of 9 infants (22.2%) with other neurological co-morbidities (IVH> or =grade III, PVL, or PHH) had cerebral palsy, and 5 infants (55.6%) had developmental delay assessed by the Bayley scales. None of the infants without other neurological co-morbidities had cerebral palsy or developmental delay.
CONCLUSION
Neonatal cerebellar hemorrhage is often diagnosed incidentally on the brain MRI in the preterm infants. If there is no concomitant high-grade IVH, PVL or PHH, cerebellar hemorrhage seems to hardly accompany its own specific symptoms, and the neurodevelopmental outcomes seem to be favorable as well. However, further long-term, large scale studies are necessary.

Keyword

Cerebellar hemorrhage; Preterm; Magnetic resonance imaging

MeSH Terms

Ambulatory Care Facilities
Asphyxia
Brain
Cerebral Palsy
Electronic Health Records
Hemorrhage
Hospitals, University
Humans
Hydrocephalus
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature
Leukomalacia, Periventricular
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Parturition
Weights and Measures