Ultrasound abnormalities in term infants on ECMO.

The charts and cranial ultrasounds of 29 infants treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for respiratory insufficiency secondary to meconium aspiration syndrome, primary pulmonary hypertension, congenital diaphragmatic hernia and/or sepsis were examined to identify ultrasound abnormalities. Seventeen (58.6%) developed extra-axial fluid collections, only two of which were progressive. Ten (34.5%) developed evidence of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH): seven caudate, one each in the thalamus, parietal and occipital lobes. Eight (27.65%) of the neonates had seizures while on ECMO, 5 of whom had concurrent ICH.