[Posterior fossa hemorrhage in newborns following vaccum extractor delivery].

AIM

To emphasize the risk of posterior fossa hemorrhage in newborns following vacuum extraction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Over a period of 26 months (September 1996-December 1998), seven patients who underwent delivery with the vacuum extractor had symptoms of brain stem compression, related to posterior fossa hemorrhage. They were referred to the neonatal intensive care unit. Some parameters had been analyzed: gestational period, delivery circumstances, gestational age, parameters of newborn, indications of vacuum extraction and other paraclinical investigations (biological and radiological).

RESULTS

Ultrasound scan revealed intracranial hemorrhage in five cases of seven; mean time of diagnosis was 10 hours of age. All patients presented symptoms of brain stem compression. Mean period of follow-up was 22 months: six of seven patients had a normal neurodevelopment. One patient had a cerebellar ataxia, another one a palsy of the IIIrd cranial nerve.

CONCLUSION

Analyses of posterior fossa by ultrasound scan should be made for newborns delivered by vacuum extractor, especially if they had symptoms of brain stem compression.