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Perinatal/Neonatal Case Presentation

A case for an in utero etiology of chronic SDH/effusions of infancy

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Abstract

The authors report a case of chronic subdural hematoma/effusions (CSDHs) first suspected at 3 months of age after presenting with a seizure, and initially diagnosed as postnatal trauma. However, a close re-examination of fortuitously available serial prenatal ultrasounds clearly establishes the presence of an abnormal, expansive intracranial process already in place by 20-weeks gestation. With no identified prenatal, perinatal, or postnatal trauma, and no identified culpable medical condition as a potential etiology, this case raises the possibility that some, perhaps many or even most CSDHs of infancy can have a congenital etiology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Student Health Center, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

    J G Galaznik

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  1. J G Galaznik
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Correspondence to J G Galaznik.

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Competing interests

I have given testimony in civil and criminal proceedings involving cases of alleged physical abuse of infants and small children.

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Galaznik, J. A case for an in utero etiology of chronic SDH/effusions of infancy. J Perinatol 31, 220–222 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2010.156

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2010.156

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