Question
A newborn who is just over a month old has started vomiting and crying continuously after having their head compressed. The parents have tried various methods but there has been no relief. What symptoms might indicate intracranial hemorrhage in newborns?
Answer
Intracranial hemorrhage in newborns is a common form of brain injury, usually caused by hypoxia or birth trauma, and is more common in premature infants. Symptoms typically appear within 1 to 2 days after birth and may include changes in consciousness such as excessive excitement, drowsiness, or coma; eye symptoms such as staring, difficulty moving the eyes, or nystagmus. Treatment principles include supportive care, seizure control, lowering intracranial pressure, using medications to restore brain cell function, and hemostasis as well as symptomatic treatment.