Future mothers are looking forward to a memorable day of the birth of their baby. Unfortunately, not everything goes according to plan. In almost 80% of cases, unforeseen problems arise: prolonged childbirth, weak labor, too painful attempts, entwining the baby with the umbilical cord and much more. Most often, doctors without complications for women in childbirth and the child solve the difficulties that arose in the process. One way or another, but if there is evidence, a neurosonography is prescribed for the newborn. What is this, why is such a procedure carried out and what diseases can be detected using it, this article will tell.
What is neurosonography?
Translated from the Greek language means "study of nervous tissue" the term "neurosonography". What is it and why is such a study conducted? This diagnostic procedure has appeared in medical practice relatively recently. It consists in the study of the brain of a newborn baby using ultrasound for the purpose of a routine examination or according to the indications of a neonatologist.
Previously, the brain research procedure was prescribed only in rare, life-threatening cases. Since such a diagnosis was carried out by magnetic resonance imaging using anesthetic drugs. This technique is dangerous with serious complications and extremely undesirable for a weakened newborn's body.
The advent of ultrasound diagnostics was a real breakthrough and a “lifeline” in neonatology. Infant neurosonography safely detects congenital and acquired birth defects in the brain from the first minutes of the baby's life. Such a diagnostic method in a short time led to a significant decrease in the mortality 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, the doctor can detect serious, often incompatible with life and requiring immediate medical attention pathologies. Although it requires professional analysis, neurosonography. Deciphering indicators is a laborious, ambiguous process, often requiring additional research and taking into account many external factors.
Indications for appointment
Doctors can recommend the procedure for neurosonography both for preventive purposes and according to indications. Assign the procedure for ultrasound examination of the brain of newborns in the following conditions:
- complicated labor, the use of obstetric forceps, drugs to activate contractions;
- birth injuries of the child;
- birth defects and obvious pathologies;
- genetic diseases;
- premature delivery (prematurity);
- postponed pregnancy;
- during cesarean section;
- in the presence of intrauterine infection;
- if there is a history of resuscitation of the newborn;
- with a skull injury.
Is neurosonography safe for newborns?
Infant neurosonography is a safe procedure for the baby. Ultrasound examination of the brain is carried out absolutely painlessly, the child does not need preparation and recovery period. Although discussions are still being held in medical circles about the complete safety of ultrasonic waves. Opponents of the technique believe that the influence 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 carried out in practice for babies in intensive care units.
Types of Neurosonography
Neurosonography is classified depending on through which area of the skull an ultrasound scan is performed:
- The most common is the procedure through the large fontanel of the newborn.
- An ultrasound scan is performed through the temporal bone of the skull for older children, in whom the fontanel is already overgrown.
- Through the crevices of the skull, which may form after an injury or surgery.
Conducted by any of the above types of neurosonography on anti-aircraft gunners in St. Petersburg. The clinic is highly qualified and has received positive reviews from patients.
Features of the procedure
The peculiarity of neurosonography is that such a procedure can only be performed in the crevices of the skull, since ultrasonic waves cannot pass through the fused bones that have grown together. Neurosonography in children is quite effective and has no contraindications.
How is it carried out?
Neurosonography is performed using an ultrasound apparatus. What is it and what is the principle of the apparatus? The doctor installs a sensor, pre-lubricated with a special gel to eliminate air bubbles between the surfaces, in the area of the large fontanel of the newborn.
Ultrasonic waves are displayed from the membranes, revealing the contours of the brain, intracranial inclusions. Results are displayed on a computer monitor. The doctor, analyzing the picture, makes preliminary conclusions.
Is preparation for the procedure necessary?
Neurosonography does not imply special training. But doctors recommend feeding the baby before the procedure so that the child is calm, and the doctor has the opportunity to conduct the procedure effectively.
Neurosonography: a breakdown of indicators
Deciphering the results can only be done by a specialist, since, 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 in newborns they show slight deviations in the development of the brain. But within a year, such indicators independently return to normal and do not entail any negative consequences for the baby’s health. Therefore, in some cases, when analyzing the results, there is a need for early medical participation, in others - only regular monitoring.
After the procedure, the doctor of the ultrasound diagnostic cabinet enters the data 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 such a procedure as neurosonography. Deciphering indicators on their own is unacceptable. Parents of the baby can only understand the doctor’s conclusion "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 side of the brain of the newborn, doctors fix the symmetry of the hemispheres and ventricles, the clear severity of the furrows and convolutions, the absence of neoplasms, fluid inclusions.
Deviations are any indicators that differ from the above. So, the pathology is the detection of echogenic inclusions, dilated grooves or interhemispheric fissure, asymmetry, displacement of structures.
Establishing diagnosis
Based on the evidence of neurosonography, the doctor cannot make a final diagnosis. If any deviations are found, additional studies and necessary analyzes are prescribed.
Based on the results of ultrasound diagnostics, the doctor may suspect brain cysts, coronary disease, infection, cerebral palsy, intracranial injuries and inflammatory processes.
Where is the procedure carried out?
Where to do neurosonography? The procedure is performed in almost every major perinatal center. In insurance cases, such a diagnosis will be free of charge. In order to prevent, ultrasound is performed 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 that counts, there simply is no time to transport the child to another clinic. Therefore, in the presence of medical indications, experts recommend that parents agree to conduct 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 does not differ much from the cost of neurosonography in a state medical institution, but the equipment with modern equipment is more characteristic of private hospitals.
The cost of neurosonography
The neurosonography procedure costs an average of 1000–3000 rubles, depending on the model of ultrasound apparatus used and the price policy of the clinic. In addition, private hospitals offer an additional procedure - dopplerography, which helps to analyze the blood supply to the brain, to detect vascular blockage, and other blood flow disorders. In this case, the cost of neurosonography will have to pay another 200-500 rubles.
Neurosonography in St. Petersburg. Reviews
The Center for Neurosonography on Anti-aircraft gunners, 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, clinic specialists conduct not only standard neurosonography, but also three-dimensional.
The following medical institutions have gained trust:
- Diagnostic center "Energo", which is located at: Leninsky Prospekt, 160. The cost of neurosonography in this institution is 1200 rubles. Patient reviews indicate the quality and timely provision of medical services.
- Multidisciplinary medical center "MSCh 15". His address: st. Varshavskaya, 100. The price of the procedure in the center is only 1000 rubles. The reviews about this institution are mixed. It is noted that administrative work is not well established.
- The Ultrasound XXI Century Center (Olkhovaya St., 6/289) offers standard and three-dimensional neurosonography. High quality company equipment 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 a doctor and refuse this type of diagnosis. This simple, painless and safe procedure will help to find the pathology of the child’s brain and, with timely medical help, save the baby’s life.