Prevalence, type, and risk factors of intracranial hemorrhage in term neonates: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

introductionIntracranial hemorrhage in the newborn poses a significant challenge to their well-being and subsequent development. In pre-term neonates, germinal matrix hemorrhage is the most common cause of intracranial hemorrhage with the prevalence varying from 20 to 59%. However, in term neonates, the prevalence and type of intracranial hemorrhage have not been well elucidated. The type of hemorrhage occurring in term neonates differs from those occurring in pre-term neonates. We conducted a systematic review to assess the prevalence, type, and risk factors of intracranial hemorrhage occurring in term neonates.

methodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis by searching the PubMed and Embase databases. Inclusion criteria were studies reporting intracranial hemorrhage in term neonates (37 weeks or more gestational age at the time of birth). Exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) studies which examined only a specific type of hemorrhage, (2) studies which examined only a single risk factor, (3) sample size < 20, (4) not in English language, and (5) full text not accessible/available. The studies which met the eligibility criteria were assessed and evaluated by two authors, and data was extracted using a predesigned template. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute bias assessment tool. The meta-analysis for prevalence, type of hemorrhage, and risk factor was conducted using MetaXL extension for Microsoft Excel.

resultsA total of 1226 records were identified in a database search of PubMed and Embase. After screening, 20 studies were included in the final analysis. The overall prevalence of intracranial hemorrhage in term neonates was 9.3% (95% CI, 4.9-14.9%). The prevalence of intracranial hemorrhage in asymptomatic patients was 5.8% (95% CI, 2.5-10.2%) and in symptomatic patients was 29.3% (95% CI, 15.3-44.8%). Sub-group analysis of the modality of detection shows that the prevalence of hemorrhage detection was higher with computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI) than with ultrasonography (USG). Extra-axial hemorrhage was the most common type of hemorrhage detected, comprising about 32.4% of the overall. The odds of having an intracranial hemorrhage was significantly higher with an instrumental delivery (OR = 3.75, 95% CI, 1.4-10.02).

conclusionThe present study shows that the prevalence of intracranial hemorrhage is relatively high in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with extra-axial hemorrhage being the most common type of hemorrhage. The prevalence of hemorrhage varied according to the type of imaging used for detection and ideal imaging modality for evaluation, and the consequences of intracranial hemorrhage in term infants on development remain to be determined.