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Updated: Mar 3, 2026
State of the Art Cranial Ultrasound Imaging in Neonates
Published on: February 2, 2015
Universal Head Ultrasound Screening in Full-term Neonates: A Retrospective Analysis of 6771 Infants
Elisa Ballardini1, Anna Tarocco1, Chiara Rosignoli1
1Pediatric Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
Insights
Routine head ultrasound screening for asymptomatic full-term neonates is not recommended due to a low prevalence of significant intracranial abnormalities. However, it remains valuable for diagnosing anomalies in high-risk infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric neurology
- Medical imaging
Background:
- Asymptomatic cranial injuries can occur in full-term neonates.
- Head ultrasound screening offers potential for early diagnosis of these injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and types of intracranial abnormalities in full-term neonates.
- To evaluate the utility of head ultrasound screening in this population.
Main Methods:
- Head ultrasound screening was conducted on 6771 full-term neonates over five years.
- Findings were classified as normal, minor, or major anomalies.
Main Results:
- 1.7% of neonates had abnormalities; 0.19% had major anomalies.
- Major abnormalities were associated with microcephaly or abnormal neurological evaluations.
- Only one major abnormality was detected solely by ultrasound.
Conclusions:
- Routine head ultrasound screening in asymptomatic full-term neonates yielded a low detection rate of significant anomalies.
- General screening is not indicated, but ultrasound is valuable for early diagnosis in neonates with neurological abnormalities or risk factors.
Background:
Full-term neonates may have asymptomatic cranial injuries at birth and head ultrasound screening could be useful for early diagnosis. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and type of intracranial abnormalities and the usefulness of head ultrasound screening in these infants.
Methods:
Head ultrasound screening was performed on all full-term neonates (gestational age between 37 and 42 weeks), born at Sant'Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, Italy, from June 1, 2008 through May 31, 2013. Ultrasound findings were categorized into three groups: normal, minor, and major anomalies.
Results:
All full-term neonates (6771) born at our hospital underwent head ultrasound screening. One hundred fourteen of 6771 (1.7%) presented ultrasound abnormalities, whereas 6657 were normal or exhibited insignificant findings. In 101 of 114 (88.6%), abnormalities were minor, and only 13 infants had major abnormalities (0.19% of all full-term newborns). All neonates with major abnormalities presented with either microcephaly or abnormal neurological evaluations. Only one individual with major abnormalities was detected exclusively by ultrasound.
Conclusions:
The number of significant anomalies detected by head ultrasound screening in asymptomatic full-term neonates born during the study period was low. Therefore, there is no indication for routine general head ultrasound screening in these patients. However, even if low, in neonates who have neurological abnormalities, risk factors or suspected brain malformations, head ultrasound screening may play an important role in the early diagnosis of intracranial anomalies.
