Delayed Appearance of a Traumatic Fetal Intracranial Hemorrhage

Abstract

Background. Fetal intracranial injury is a potentially devastating sequelae of maternal trauma, but there is little guidance regarding fetal evaluation in this setting. Case. A 23-year-old woman at 27-week gestation was admitted after a high-speed motor vehicle accident. The initial obstetrical ultrasound was unremarkable, but persistently minimal fetal heart rate variability was observed. Ultrasound on day 3 after the accident showed an intracranial hyperechogenic lesion and subdural fluid collection. The neonate, following an uneventful birth at 39 weeks, had seizures and abnormal muscle tone. MRI was consistent with in utero intracranial hemorrhage. Conclusion. Serial fetal imaging following maternal trauma, particularly when accompanied by abnormal fetal heart rate tracings, should be considered when fetal injury is a concern, even in the setting of a normal initial ultrasound.