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CASE REPORT article

Front. Pediatr.
Sec. Neonatology
Volume 12 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fped.2024.1388454

Case series: Resolution of refractory seizures after neurosurgical intervention in newborns with cerebral extra-axial hemorrhages

Provisionally accepted
Celine Rohaert Celine Rohaert 1*Jochem K. Spoor Jochem K. Spoor 2Marjolein Dremmen Marjolein Dremmen 3Anna Marjoleine van Hengel-Jacobs Anna Marjoleine van Hengel-Jacobs 4Liesbeth S. Smit Liesbeth S. Smit 5Ronny Knol Ronny Knol 1*
  • 1 Division of Neonatology, Department of Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care, Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • 2 Department of Neurosurgery, Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • 3 Division of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • 4 Department of Pediatrics, Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland, Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands
  • 5 Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatric Neurology, Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Introduction: Intracranial hemorrhage is a significant cause of neurological damage in newborns. Extra-axial hemorrhages with intraparenchymal extension can precipitate acute clinical deterioration. Seizures are one of the presenting symptoms, which can be refractory to treatment. These hemorrhages can result in considerable long-term morbidity and mortality. Aim: The objective of this report is to present three cases of extra-axial hemorrhages in neonates, all exhibiting refractory seizures that resolved following neurosurgical intervention. Additionally, a review of literature is provided. Methods: Data collected included clinical history, laboratory findings, neuroimaging studies, type of neurosurgical intervention and patient outcome. All infants presented with extra-axial hemorrhages along with clinical and radiological signs of increased intracranial pressure within the first six days of life. These manifestations included a decreased level of consciousness, hypertension, bradycardia, and cerebral midline shift on imaging. Refractory seizures were present in all cases. Urgent magnetic resonance imaging was performed followed by neurosurgical intervention (two needle aspirations, one cranial trepanation), leading to amelioration of clinical symptoms and complete resolution of seizures. Follow-up outcomes included normal psychomotor development in one infant, mild cerebral paresis in another and delayed motor development in the third. None of the infants developed epilepsy.This study underscores the critical importance of monitoring seizure activity, conducting urgent and appropriate imaging and implementing targeted neurosurgical intervention, preferable through minimally invasive methods such as percutaneous needle aspiration. Clinicians should be aware of this clinical picture and respond promptly to mitigate neurological damage.

    Keywords: intracranial hemorrhage, extra-axial hemorrhage, neonate, Refractory seizures, Neurosurgical decompression, Needle aspiration, case report

    Received: 19 Feb 2024; Accepted: 26 Jul 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Rohaert, Spoor, Dremmen, van Hengel-Jacobs, Smit and Knol. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Celine Rohaert, Division of Neonatology, Department of Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care, Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015 CE, Netherlands
    Ronny Knol, Division of Neonatology, Department of Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care, Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015 CE, Netherlands

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.