[Adrenal hemorrhage in the newborn. Diagnostic problems and presentation of a case]

Adrenal haemorrhage is not an exceptional event in the newborn. The probable predisposing factors are difficult delivery, fetal hypoxia, trombocytopenia and coagulation defects. The recommended therapeutical approach is conservative, even if some Authors prefer surgical evacuation of the haematoma. This report was prompted by our recent experience of a case of unilateral adrenal haemorrhage in a newborn. The methods useful in the diagnosis are thoroughly evaluated and discussed with special emphasis on echography which holds an important position in the early diagnosis of this condition.