American Journal of Perinatology Reports (Jul 2020)

Neonatal Cerebellar Hemorrhage and Facial Nerve Palsy: An Unusual Association

  • Caterina Coviello,
  • Giulia Remaschi,
  • Sabrina Becciani,
  • Simona Montano,
  • Iuri Corsini,
  • Federico Mussa,
  • Massimo Basile,
  • Carlo Dani

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1715162
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 03
pp. e262 – e265

Abstract

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Cerebellar hemorrhage is rare in term newborns and is most often seen after traumatic birth. Lifelong sequelae include motor and cognitive impairment. We report the uncommon case of a late preterm infant born by spontaneous delivery who showed right peripheral facial palsy at 24 hours of life. Cranial ultrasound showed lateral ventricles dilatation and a diffuse hyperechoic round lesion in the right cerebellar hemisphere. The computed tomography scan confirmed a hemorrhagic lesion in the right cerebellar hemisphere and in the vermis with midline shift and intraventricular bleeding. Ommaya reservoir was inserted and used for a few days. The facial palsy gradually recovered to a complete remission after 6 weeks. Follow-up examinations at 12 and 18 months evidenced infant's delayed motor function, hyperreflexia, tremors, and speech delay.

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