Scanning tiny minds: Cranial ultrasound findings in preterm neonates in special newborn care unit/neonatal intensive care unit

Background: Preterm birth remains a major global health concern and is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Cranial ultrasound (USG), being a safe, non-invasive, and bedside-available imaging tool, is widely used for screening and monitoring brain abnormalities in preterm infants. In tertiary care settings, where high-risk neonates are managed, understanding the spectrum of cranial USG findings can guide clinicians in decision-making and follow-up planning. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to assess the different clinical presentations of neonates with abnormal cranial USG. Materials and Methods: The observational descriptive study was conducted in the special newborn care unit/neonatal intensive care unit (SNCU/NICU) of Malda Medical College and Hospital for the period of 1 year. Preterm neonates admitted to SNCU/NICU were included. The first consecutive 100 preterm newborns admitted during the study period in SNCU/NICU from 15 December 2022 to 14 December 2023 were taken. Results: In this study, the majority of the cases were males (68%), and 17% of the cases, parents were married within 18 years. For most (60%) of the cases, gestational age was ≤32 weeks. Regarding cranial USG findings, abnormality was seen in 21% of cases. The gestational age and birth weight had a significant association with cranial USG findings. Conclusion: Cranial USG helps in early identification of neurological abnormalities among preterm as well as term neonates because of its high efficiency. Early identification of such abnormalities will help to prevent, protect, and further manage adversely affected infants. The same was observed in this study.