INTRODUCTION

Subdural hematomas in the neonate are unusual, with a difficult delivery accounting for most cases. As obstetric methods have improved, the incidence of this complication has declined, making subdurals even less common.¹ Automobile accidents or assaults involving the mother are an even rarer cause of fetal subdural hematomas and are nearly always associated with skull fracture.² One study reported a high incidence of subdural hematomas without skull fracture in stillborn fetuses of Samoan mothers. Although domestic assault of the mothers was considered, this could not be confirmed in any case.³ There is only one case report of a newborn infant with subdural hematomas secondary to trauma without a skull fracture.⁴ In this case, the mother reported being beaten and immediately noticed an absence of fetal movements. A full-term infant was then delivered via cesarean section and had a left subdural hematoma that, on aspiration, was acute in nature. We report here a case of a 34-week premature infant with bilateral chronic subdural hematomas of various ages secondary to maternal abuse. The infant remained in utero for a significant period of time after the trauma occurred. The case is unusual in light of the absence of skull fracture or other injury and the amount of time elapsed between injury and delivery.

	CASE STUDY

Baby girl K was the 2138-g product of a 34-week gestation born by cesarean section to a 25-year-old gravida 7, para 3, aborta 3 African-American woman. The mother's past medical history was significant for chronic hypertension. High blood pressures were noted during the pregnancy and the mother was treated with Aldomet until 2 weeks before delivery. The pregnancy was otherwise uncomplicated. The mother's prenatal screens were: blood type A . . . [Full Text of this Article]