Computerized axial tomography of the brain in neonates and young infants

Twenty critically ill infants with abnormal head growth and/or seizures underwent CAT of the brain. Signs of birth asphyxia or respiratory distress were present in all. Six out of ten infants with abnormal size of the head had abnormal CAT scans. Nine out of ten infants with seizures had abnormal scans. Abnormalities included hydrocephalus, intraventricular hemorrhage, cerebral edema, subarachnoid hemorrhage and porencephaly. Six infants required neurosurgical procedures. Development at two to 15 months of age in the 19 surviving infants was normal in nine, suspect in eight, and severely delayed in two patients. Until the prognosis of the various CNS disorders discussed is clearly defined, aggressive management appears indicated.