Characterization of neuroecographic alterations in the premature newborn admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Guatemala

Abstract

Brain injury in preterm infants represents a health challenge due to the annual increase in the number of cases. Brain immaturity, maternal risk factors and perinatal events such as ischemia and hypoxia contribute to structural brain damage. We characterized preterm newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of the Escuintla Hospital in Guatemala, revealing that 6.7% of preterm newborns presented neuroecographic alterations. Of these, 72% had cerebral hemorrhage, 20% with other pathologies such as leukomalacia and hydrocephalus, and 52% with cerebral hemorrhage alone. Ninety-six percent required mechanical ventilation, with an average duration of 17 days, and 81% received vasoactive amines, with 56% being transfused. It was concluded that most of the affected premature neonates were male, and respiratory distress syndrome was the most common neonatal disease, affecting 42% of the cases. The most frequent maternal risk factors were hypertension and gestational diabetes.