Background: Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is an important cause of mortality and neurologic sequels in the neonatal period. As there is little information about the prevalence and etiologies of neonatal I.C.H. in Kashan, the present study was carried out on neonates admitted in Kashan hospitals during a 4-year period, 1996-2000.

Material and methods: This retrospective study was conducted on 2755 neonates. Having the diagnosis confirmed, initial data including gestational age, sex, clinical manifestations, mode of delivery, maternal risk factors, type and cause of hemorrhage were collected from medical records and results were analyzed.

Results: Of 62 cases of ICH, 42 were in preterm and 20 were in full term neonates. The most common etiology of ICH in preterm and term neonate was asphyxia and trauma, respectively. The most common type of ICH in preterm was intraventricular hemorrhage versus subdural hemorrhage in full terms. There was no significant relationship between ICH and sex or mode of delivery. Decreased More reflex was the most common clinical finding and preeclampsia was the most important maternal risk factor in ICH.

Conclusion: Considering the frequency of ICH in preterm neonates (27 times more than full terms neonates) and asphyxia as the most common etiology, further attempts should be employed to prevent preterm deliveries and occurrence of asphyxia.