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Am J Perinatol 2005; 22(1): 57-59
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-837267
Copyright © 2005 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak in a Premature Neonate

Arieh Riskin1 , Liana Beni-Adani2 , Irena Chistiekov1 , Amir Kugelman1 , Martha Abend-Weinger1 , David Bader1
  • 1Department of Neonatology, Bnai Zion Medical Center, The B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
  • 2Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Dana Children's Hospital, Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Publication History

Publication Date:
11 January 2005 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cranial leaks in neonates are rare, and only four case reports have been published previously. Two of the previous cases were also in preterm newborns delivered at 30 weeks gestation. We present a case of CSF leak in a premature neonate delivered at 30 weeks gestation. Our approach to treatment was different from that previously described. After the initial treatment with local packing bandage failed to stop CSF leakage, local exploration with wound suturing was done, with resultant ceasing of leakage within 12 hours of birth. This case presents a rare complication of CSF leakage caused by internal scalp monitoring. This complication seems to be more frequent in premature babies, thus special consideration should be taken in premature infants before applying such monitoring.

KEYWORDS

Cerebrospinal fluid - cranial leak - premature neonate

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Arieh RiskinM.D. 

Department of Neonatology, Bnai Zion Medical Center

47 Golomb Street, P.O. Box 4940

Haifa 31048, Israel