Incidence of neonatal macrocephaly at the Hospital Cayetano Heredia, 2016 - 2017.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the incidence of neonatal macrocephaly in a third level hospital from Lima, Peru. Methods: Macrocephaly was defined on the basis of a cephalic perimeter higher than the 97th percentile for age and sex. The report records of the Perinatal Computer System of Cayetano Heredia Hospital between January 1^st., 2016 and December 31^st, 2017 were used, as well as the Fenton growth chart to determine the limits of normality. Results: A total of 210 cases of neonatal macrocephaly was registered, a general rate of 26 per 1,000 live births. Neonatal macrocephaly incidence were inversely proportional to gestational age. Conclusions: Macrocephaly was higher in preterm neonates, with a risk factor five times higher in this population group.