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Neuropediatrics 2003; 34(1): 45-51
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-38621
Short Communication

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Cervical Spinal Cord Atrophy in the Atraumatically Born Neonate: One Form of Prenatal or Perinatal Ischaemic Insult?

F. Ebinger 1 , R. Boor 2 , K. Brühl 3 , B. Reitter 2
  • 1Kinderklinik, Abt. Pädiatrische Neurologie, Klinikum der Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
  • 2Kinderklinik, Klinikum der Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Mainz, Germany
  • 3Institut für Neuroradiologie, Klinikum der Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Mainz, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: August 9, 2002

Accepted after Revision: December 10, 2002

Publication Date:
11 April 2003 (online)

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Abstract

After atraumatic birth, three neonates presented with muscle hypotonia and weakness. Flaccid paresis of the upper extremities, spasticity of the lower extremities, dissociate sensory loss and autonomic dysfunction developed later. This ruled out the initial, tentative diagnoses of cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy or hereditary neuropathy. Diagnostic imaging revealed marked thinning of the cervical spinal cord in all patients. The possible aetiology of these lesions is considered. In all cases, an antenatal or perinatal infarction is thought to be the most probable cause. Different clinical pictures following intrauterine spinal cord ischemia are discussed. Spinal cord lesion must be considered even after atraumatic birth.

Key words

Spinal cord infarction - spinal stroke - spinal ischaemia - newborn infant - congenital spinal atrophy - spinal cord injury - birth injury - muscle hypotonia

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Dr. Friedrich Ebinger

Universitätskinderklinik, Abt. Pädiatrische Neurologie

Im Neuenheimer Feld 150

69120 Heidelberg

Germany

Email: friedrich_ebinger@med.uni-heidelberg.de