Sonographic measurement of subarachnoid space and ventricular width in premature and mature newborns

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.