Foetal Cephalometry by Ultrasound and Its Place in Clinical Obstetrics

Of 11 infants examined, there were abnormal echoes within the brain in 3; these were one case of congenital hydrocephalus, one of hydrocephalus resulting from meningitis and one case of bilateral intraventricular haemorrhage. Of the remaining 8, in whom no ultrasonic abnormality was found, although intracerebral haemorrhage was suspected clinically in all of them, 3 recovered completely and 5 died. In 3 of these 5 there was no lesion in the brain; one had bleeding around the cerebellum which it would not have been possible to diagnose by ultrasonic examination; one was found to have intraventricular haemorrhage, but this may have developed in the 19 hours intervening between ultrasonic examination and death. On the basis of this brief study, it would seem worthwhile to continue investigations by echoencephalography in the newborn, especially in view of the good published results of the method when applied to adults. To continue the work, however, alternative equipment will be required, as the apparatus used for foetal cephalometry is not very suitable for the detection of intracranial lesions. Recent technical developments have produced apparatus which should make an extended study possible