Incidence of Neonatal microcephaly in the Hospital Cayetano Heredia, Lima, 2016 – 2017; [Incidencia de microcefalia neonatal en el Hospital Cayetano Heredia de Lima, 2016 – 2017]

Abstract

Objective: To determine the incidence of neonatal microcephaly in the Hospital Cayetano Heredia, throughout a well-defined period. Material and Methods: Microcephaly was determined by a cephalic perimeter lower than the third percentile for age and sex. Reported records of the Hospital’s Perinatal Computer System between January 1st, 2016 and December 31st, 2017, were used. Fenton growth chart’s parameters were used to determine the limits of normality. Results: A total of 416 cases of neonatal microcephaly were registered, a general rate of 53.4 per 1,000 live births, up to 185 per 1000 live births in preterm infants (<37 weeks), with higher figures among males. Conclusions: A high incidence rate of microcephaly was found, probably higher in preterm infants and due to multiple causes. Observational biases cannot be discarded. © 2019 Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Facultad de Medicina Alberto Hurtado. All rights reserved.