Abstract:
Aim: We aimed to measure the subarachnoid space and ventricular width with transfontanel sonography in premature and mature
newborns and to identify the subarachnoid space/ventricular width ratio.
Material and method: This prospective study included 123 premature and 121 mature newborns, totally 244 cases. All cases had
sonographic investigation from the anterior fontanel with 4.8-11.0 MHz linear transducer. The subarachnoid space/ventricular
width ratio was calculated. Analysis of variables was completed with SPSS 22.0 program; and independent samples T test was used
for the comparisons between the groups.
Results: The birth week, head circumference, weight and height values of mature newborns were higher compared to the
premature newborns (p<0.001, for each). The subarachnoid space and ventricular width values for mature and premature
newborns were 3.13±0.39 mm, 1.79±0.45 mm, and 3.45±0.47 mm and 2.02±0.54 mm, respectively (p<0.001, for each). The
subarachnoid space/ventricular width ratios were 0.90±0.02 and 0.89±0.05 in mature and premature newborns with no difference
identified between the groups (p=0.432). The result of Receiver Operating Curve analysis was that the threshold values for
premature-mature distinction were 2.29 mm for subarachnoid space and 2.49 mm for ventricular width; and the sensitivity and
specificity for both values were found to be 100% (p<0.001, for each).
Conclusion: Subarachnoid space and ventricular width values vary according to the birth week of newborns, though the
subarachnoid space/ventricular width ratio is not different. Transfontanel sonography is a useful imaging method for measurement
of cerebrospinal fluid spaces in newborns
