Brain Bleeds Common in Babies

Brain Bleeds Common in Babies

Brain bleeds are common in babies who are born vaginally, but the bleeding is limited and appears to have no effect, according to a report published in Radiology.

Bleeding in or around the brain can occur in any newborn but is particularly common in those born prematurely; about 20% of premature infants have bleeding in the brain. In some cases, symptoms of bleeding brain such as brief pauses in breathing, slow heart rate, and seizures. Typically small bleeds resolve over time without causing problems, but more serious cases may result in seizures, learning disabilities, or problems with motor development.

In this study, 88 newborn babies who showed no symptoms of bleeding were assessed using MRI between the ages of one and five weeks. Sixty-five of the babies were delivered vaginally and the rest by caesarian section.

They found that one in four babies had at least one type of brain bleed and a small percent had bleeding in two or more areas of the brain. None of the babies with bleeding had been delivered by caesarian section. The bleeding was associated with vaginal birth but not with the duration of labour or with the methods of delivery.

The experts say that small bleeds in and around the brain are very common in babies who are born vaginally, and it is likely that our brains have evolved to cope with vaginal births without too much difficulty.

Since the MRI was not taken immediately after birth, they say that some cases may have been missed and that the incidence of brain bleeds following birth may in fact be much greater.
Further studies are needed to assess whether symptoms of bleeding brain are associated with later developmental problems, such as epilepsy.
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