Expectant mothers are looking forward to the memorable day of the birth of their baby. Unfortunately, not everything always goes according to plan. In almost 80% of cases, unforeseen problems arise: prolonged labor, weakness of labor, overly painful attempts, entanglement of the baby's umbilical cord, and much more. Most often, doctors without complications for the woman in labor and the child solve the difficulties that have arisen in the process. One way or another, but if there are indications, then neurosonography is prescribed for the newborn. What is it, why such a procedure is carried out and what diseases can be detected with it, this article will tell.
What is neurosonography?
Translated from Greek, the term "neurosonography" means "study of nervous tissue". What is it and why is such a study carried out? This diagnostic procedure has appeared in medical practice relatively recently. It consists in studying the brain of a newborn child using ultrasound for the purpose of a preventive examination or according to the indications of a neonatologist.
Earlier study procedurethe brain was prescribed only in rare, life-threatening cases for the baby. Since such a diagnosis was carried out by the method of magnetic resonance imaging with the use of anesthetic drugs. This technique is dangerous with serious complications and is highly undesirable for a weakened body of a newborn.
The emergence of ultrasound diagnostics has become a real breakthrough and a "lifeline" in neonatology. Neurosonography of the baby as safely as possible detects congenital and acquired birth injuries of the brain from the first minutes of a baby's life. Such a diagnostic method in a short time led to a significant reduction in the death rate of newborns due to the timely detection of brain pathologies.
The procedure takes no more than 7-10 minutes. In such a short time, a doctor can detect serious, often incompatible with life pathologies that require immediate medical attention. Although neurosonography requires professional analysis. Deciphering indicators is a laborious, ambiguous process, often requiring additional research and taking into account many external factors.
Indications for prescription
Doctors can recommend the procedure of neurosonography both for preventive purposes and for indications. Assign the procedure for ultrasound examination of the brain of newborns in the following conditions:
- complicated labor, use of obstetric forceps, drugs to activate contractions;
- child birth injury;
- congenitaldefects and obvious pathologies;
- genetic diseases;
- preterm delivery (prematurity);
- postterm pregnancy;
- during caesarean section;
- in the presence of intrauterine infection;
- if there is a history of neonatal resuscitation;
- with a skull injury.
Is neurosonography safe for newborns?
Neuronography of the baby is a safe procedure for the child. Ultrasound examination of the brain is absolutely painless, the child does not need preparation and recovery period. Although there are still discussions in medical circles about the complete safety of ultrasonic waves. Opponents of the technique believe that the effect of such procedures manifests itself several years later, reducing immunity and causing cancer. But at the moment it is not possible to confirm or refute these statements.
Meanwhile, neurosonography of the brain is widely practiced for babies in resuscitation incubators.
Types of neurosonography
Neurosonography is classified depending on the region of the skull through which the ultrasound is performed:
- The most common procedure is through the large fontanel of a newborn.
- An ultrasound examination is performed through the temporal bone of the skull for older children whose fontanel is already overgrown.
- Through the crevice of the skull, whichmay form after trauma or surgery.
Carried out by any of the above types of neurosonography on anti-aircraft gunners in St. Petersburg. The clinic is highly qualified and received positive feedback from patients.
Features of the procedure
A feature of neurosonography is that such a procedure can only be carried out in the cracks of the skull, since ultrasonic waves cannot pass through strengthened fused bones. Neurosonography in children is quite effective and has no contraindications.
How is it done?
Carried out using the neurosonography ultrasound machine. What is it and what is the principle of operation of the device? The doctor places the sensor, previously lubricated with a special gel to eliminate air bubbles between surfaces, in the region of the large fontanel of the newborn.
Ultrasonic waves are displayed from the shells, revealing the contours of the brain, intracranial inclusions. The results are displayed on a computer monitor. The doctor, analyzing the picture, makes preliminary conclusions.
Do I need to prepare for the procedure?
Neurosonography does not require special training. But doctors recommend feeding the baby before the procedure so that the child is calm and the doctor is able to carry out the procedure effectively.
Neurosonography: interpretation of indicators
Decipher the results obtained canonly a specialist, since when analyzing the indicators, other external factors should be taken into account, for example, history, weight of the child, and others. In addition, it should be noted that in almost 70% of cases, minor deviations in the development of the brain are found in newborns. But within a year, such indicators return to normal on their own and do not entail any negative consequences for the he alth of the baby. Therefore, in some cases, when analyzing the results, there is a need for prompt medical attention, in others, only regular monitoring.
After the procedure, the doctor of the ultrasound diagnostics room enters the data obtained into the medical protocol. The standard document indicates such indicators as the structure of the hemispheres and cerebellum, the presence or absence of neoplasms, intracranial fluid, developmental pathologies.
Norms and deviations of indicators
Requires special medical knowledge to analyze the results of a procedure such as neurosonography. Deciphering the indicators on your own is unacceptable. The parents of the baby can only understand the conclusion of the doctor "no pathologies were found." Such a record suggests that there is no reason for concern - all indicators are within the normal range.
In the absence of any pathologies from the brain of a newborn, doctors record the symmetry of the hemispheres and ventricles, a clear expression of the furrows and convolutions, the absence of neoplasms, fluid inclusions.
Deviations are any indicators that differ fromabove. So, pathology is considered to be the detection of echogenic inclusions, dilated furrows or interhemispheric fissure, asymmetry, displacement of structures.
Diagnosis
Based on the indications of neurosonography, the doctor cannot make a final diagnosis. If any deviations are found, additional studies and necessary analyzes are assigned.
Based on the results of ultrasound diagnostics, the doctor may suspect brain cysts, coronary disease, infection, cerebral palsy, intracranial trauma and inflammation.
Where is the procedure performed?
Where to do neurosonography? The procedure is carried out in almost every major perinatal center. In insurance cases, such diagnostics will be carried out free of charge. In order to prevent ultrasound examination is carried out on a paid basis.
Private clinics also perform neurosonography. But here it is worth paying attention to the fact that in many cases doctors do not recommend the transportation of a newborn weakened by labor or disease. In addition, in difficult situations, every minute, as they say, counts - there is simply no time to transport the child to another clinic. Therefore, if there are medical indications, experts recommend that parents agree to neurosonography directly in the maternity hospital.
In the case of a preventive examination, you can choose a private clinic, since the cost of the procedure is not much different from the price of neurosonography in the publica medical institution, but equipping with modern equipment is more typical of private hospitals.
Cost of neurosonography
The procedure for neurosonography costs an average of 1000–3000 rubles, depending on the model of ultrasound machine used and the pricing policy of the clinic. In addition, private hospitals offer an additional procedure - dopplerography, which will help analyze the blood supply to the brain, detect blockage of blood vessels, and other blood flow disorders. In this case, you will have to pay an additional 200–500 rubles to the cost of neurosonography.
Neurosonography in St. Petersburg. Reviews
Neurosonography Center at Zenitchikov Building 3, Building 2 is the most famous clinic in St. Petersburg. This medical institution is distinguished by the regular introduction of innovative techniques. So, for example, the clinic specialists perform not only standard neurosonography, but also three-dimensional one.
The following medical institutions have gained trust:
- Diagnostic center "Energo", which is located at the address: Leninsky Prospekt, 160. The cost of neurosonography in this institution is 1200 rubles. Patient reviews testify to the quality and timely provision of medical services.
- Multiprofile medical center "MSCH 15". His address: st. Warsaw, 100. The price of the procedure in the center is only 1000 rubles. Reviews about this institution are mixed. The fact that administrative work is not well established is noted.
- Ultrasound XXI Century Center (6/289, Olkhovaya St.) offers standard andthree-dimensional neurosonography. The equipment of the company is of high quality from world manufacturers of medical equipment. The cost of the procedure is from 1200 to 2500 rubles.
In our article, we revealed the essence of the term "neurosonography": what it is, in what cases and why it is performed. Do not neglect the recommendations of the doctor and refuse this type of diagnosis. This simple, painless and safe procedure will help detect the pathology of the child's brain and, with timely medical assistance, save the baby's life.
