As soon as a child is born, all his systems and organs adapt to new conditions of life, body functions that were not previously involved are activated, brain processes are activated. If any violations of these processes are suspected, additional examination and, if necessary, treatment is necessary. The most effective method for detecting the pathology of the brain and the nervous system as a whole is neurosonography (NSG) of the brain of a newborn. This method makes it possible to detect diseases of the nervous system in children from the very first days of life.
What is NSG?
NSG is, in fact, an ultrasound. NSG in newborns is an effective, informational instrumental study. For newborns, this method is available due to the structural features of the bones of the skull. The fact is that they are not yet completely formed, and this physiological feature givesthe ability to do NSG of the brain of newborns through ungrown fontanelles.
The principle of conducting such a study is practically the same as ultrasound. Through the fontanelles (anterior large and posterior), ultrasonic waves are able to penetrate to the child's brain. The range of examination is greater, the less protracted fontanelles. NSG of the brain of newborns can be done from birth to one year. The ultrasound waves used during the study are absolutely harmless to babies. The sooner the pathology is detected and treatment is started, the more favorable the prognosis for the baby.
Indications for NSG procedure
This procedure is prescribed if you suspect any abnormalities associated with the functioning of the brain and the development of the nervous system or received after a head injury, for example, when passing through the birth canal. NSG of the brain of newborns is by far one of the most effective methods for detecting various abnormalities associated with the nervous system. Indications for research can serve:
- Prematurity.
- Underweight.
- Newborn Apgar score of 7/7 or below.
- Big baby with big weight.
- Intrauterine infections.
- Hypoxia.
- Rhesus conflict.
- Development anomalies.
- Injuries sustained by the baby during childbirth.
- Swollen fontanelles (indicating high intracranial pressure).
- Household head injuries.
- Suspicion ofneurological abnormalities, such as cerebral palsy.
- Clinic for neurological disorders.
- Cranial deformities (non-standard shape).
- Tumors and inflammation.
- Having a burdened history.
Sometimes, in the absence of external signs, hidden pathologies are revealed after an ultrasound scan. NSG in newborns makes it possible to detect even the smallest deviations.
Do I need preparation?
This examination is absolutely harmless to the child. No preparation of the NSG of the brain of newborns does not require. The procedure is painless, it will not cause discomfort to the baby. The mother can be present and ask the doctor her questions.
If earlier, when a pathology of the nervous system was suspected and with abnormalities in the brain activity of newborns, they had to undergo general anesthesia in order to immobilize the child and conduct a brain tomography, then this is not required during NSG. The child can be awake and move actively - this will not interfere with the procedure.
What can detect NSG of the brain of newborns?
Cyst is a pathology, which is a vascular plexus, resembling a bubble, inside of which fluid is contained. Brain cysts in newborns can form during the passage of the birth canal. In this case, they usually resolve on their own and do not require any treatment. If the reason for their formation is different, then this requires additional examination.and appropriate treatment.
Increased intracranial pressure in newborns can be detected using NSG. This study allows you to detect various anomalies in the development of the brain, which are caused by circulatory disorders or birth injuries.
Hypertension syndrome is a serious pathology that manifests itself in the displacement of one of the hemispheres. The cause may be a tumor, hemorrhage, or a large cyst. Such a pathology requires an early referral to a specialist.
Intraventricular or parenchymal hemorrhage in neonates can also be detected by NSG testing. Intraventricular hemorrhages are more common in hypoxic or premature infants. Parenchymal often develop in the fetus in utero. With such a pathology, treatment begins immediately from the moment of birth.
Hydrocephalus is an enlargement of one or more ventricles of the brain. Such a pathology requires an urgent referral to a neurologist and intensive care.
Serious disorders of the nervous system can be detected almost from the first days of life with the help of NSG of the brain of newborns. Feedback from parents whose children were completely cured thanks to this study and did not become disabled from early childhood testifies to the advisability of carrying out the procedure in case of any suspicion. Experts are of the same opinion.
NSG newborns. Transcription
Reading the transcript of this study is carried out exclusively by a doctor. Whereinall the nuances of labor activity are taken into account:
- How was the birth - with or without complications.
- How long did they last.
- Did the fetus have hypoxia.
- Was there any birth trauma in the newborn.
- Baby weight, etc.
Given all these data, the doctor makes a conclusion. With such a study as the NSG of the brain of newborns, the decoding of data may turn out to be the norm for some babies, but not for others (taking into account complications during childbirth). The study evaluates the following data:
- Symmetry or asymmetry of brain structures. Normally, there should be complete symmetry.
- Clarity of furrows and convolutions in the cerebral cortex.
- Symmetry and homogeneity of the brain ventricles, anechoic. The presence of so-called flakes (seals) indicates hemorrhages.
- Hyperechogenicity and homogeneity of vascular clusters.
- Lack of leukomalacia (excessive softness of the structure of the medulla).
- No cysts.
Normal NSG values
Considered for the study of the NSG of newborns, the norms of the sizes of some parts of the brain in children of the first days of life. They are reflected in the table below.
| Division of the brain of a newborn | Standard measurements in mm |
| Anterior horn of the lateral ventricle | 1-2 |
| Forehorn body (depth) | 4 |
| Interhemispheric fissure | to 2 |
| Third ventricle | to 6 |
| Big tanker | 3-6 |
| Subarachnoid space | to 3 |
With age, normal indicators change, but the symmetrical development and uniformity of the structure of absolutely all parts of the brain is always the norm.
What to do if a pathology is detected?
When a pathology is detected, you should not immediately panic. It would be best to immediately seek help from a pediatric neurologist. After all, the earlier treatment is started, the more favorable the prognosis for the baby. Often the pathology is completely curable. And such a deviation as a cyst may not even require treatment at all. As a rule, neonatal brain cysts resolve on their own. Only observation required.
Research cost
In various medical institutions, the price of an NSG study of the brain of a newborn may vary slightly. Its approximate cost is 1000 rubles. If you additionally carry out dopplerometry, then the price can be up to 1500 rubles. Inexpensive research allows you to notice and eliminate serious problems associated with the he alth of the baby in time.
