Intracranial pressure. Sequential measurements in full-term and preterm infants

Intracranial pressure (ICP) was measured sequentially using a pressure-activated fiberoptic device that is placed over the anterior fontanel in 120 full-term and 53 preterm infants during the first week after birth. Mean birth weight in full-term infants was 3,527 g (range, 2,720 to 4,620 g) and in preterm infants was 1,695 g (range 1,130 to 2,440 g). Mean ICP was 12.6, 12.1, and 11.4 cm H2O on days 1,2, and 3 in full-term infants, and was 10.2, 17.0, 11.0, 8.9, 7.3 cm H20 on days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 in preterm infants. The values in preterm infants did not seem to be related to differences in Apgar scores, but higher values were seen in infants treated with continuous positive airway pressure administered by nasal prongs (before the method of fixation was changed). More stable values have been seen recently in preterm infants, which may reflect changes in care (eg, less hypoxemia).