早产儿脑损伤225例超声诊断及高危因素分析

目的 采用床旁超声诊断早产儿脑室内出血(IVH)和脑室周围白质软化(PVL),分析其发生率与高危因素的关系.方法 对225例早产儿(男161例,女64例)行床旁头颅超声检查,同时记录血气分析、血糖、生化、血常规及重要治疗等高危因素,采用方差分析、x2趋势检验分析早产儿颅脑损伤和各高危凶素的相关性.结果 ①225例早产儿中142例发生了PIVH,发生率为63.1%,39例发生了PVL,发生率为17.3%;②胎龄≤32周发生率为78.7%(59/75),33～3.4周为63.0%(34/54),35～36周为51.0%(49/96);③不同出生体重早产儿PIVH发生率比较,差异有统计学意义(x2=16.576,P<0.01);④PIVH发生率与剖宫产、低血糖、生后酸中毒、高碳酸血症、低氧血症等无关联(P均0.05),与使用呼吸机、有围产期缺氧病史及血小板低有关联(x2=5.674～7.055,P均<0.05);⑤PVL与胎龄小、出生体重低有关联(F=40.874、28.577,P<0.01).结论 胎龄和出生体重越低,IVH和PVL发生率越高.出生时及宫内缺氧、应用机械通气及血小板低于正常者,IVH发生率高.IVH与分娩方式、有无低血糖、生后酸中毒、低氧血症等未见明显关系,有待扩大样本量进一步证实.     

早产儿脑损伤的高危因素

目的 探讨引起早产儿脑损伤的高危因素,以降低其发病率,改善神经发育预后.方法 对2005年8月-2007年8月本院NICU收治的130例早产儿于出生第1、3、4、7、15天及第1、3、6个月行颅脑超声检查,Ⅰ、Ⅱ级脑室内出血(IVH)为轻度脑损伤;Ⅲ、Ⅳ级IVH/脑室周围白质软化(PVL)为重度脑损伤.应用SPSS11.5统计软件对其胎龄、出生体质量、母亲有无妊娠高血L压综合征、胎膜早破、分娩方式(阴道分娩、剖宫产)、患儿产前有无宫内窘迫、产时有无窒息、窒息复苏(包括气管插管或面罩加压给氧)、是否给予肺泡表面活性物质、出生后有无呼吸暂停、惊厥、低氧血症、高碳酸血症、低碳酸血症、酸中毒、有无吸氧、是否采用鼻塞持续呼吸道正压(nCPAP)或呼吸机辅助通气17个项目行Logistic回归分析.结果130例早产儿中,颅脑超声检出脑损伤88例,发生率66.7%.其中,轻度脑损伤29例(占33%)(IVH Ⅰ级5例,Ⅱ级24例);重度脑损伤59例(占67%)[IVHⅢ级53例,Ⅳ级1例,PVL5例(伴IVH Ⅰ级1例,Ⅱ级、Ⅲ级各2例)].胎龄越小、出生体质量越低,脑损伤发生率越高;窒息复苏、出生后低氧血症及采用nCPAP或呼吸机辅助通气也是早产儿脑损伤较重要的高危因素,这些因素均可影响早产儿脑血流自主调节功能,触发或加重脑损伤.结论小胎龄、低出生体质量、窒息复苏、低氧血症及辅助通气等为早产儿脑损伤高危因素,通过影响早产儿脑血流自主调节功能,进而影响脑血流动力学参数,导致早产儿脑损伤的发生.     

住院早产儿脑室内出血10年回顾性调查及影响因素分析

目的　调查住院早产儿脑室内出血 (IVH)发生率及其影响因素。方法　对 1993～ 2 0 0 2年 10年间入住新生儿病房、曾经头颅B超检查的所有住院早产儿进行分析 ,应用SIGMAB超诊断仪对早产儿进行床边头颅B超检查。结果　 392例早产儿的平均胎龄为 (34 0± 2 1)周 ,平均出生体重为 (2 13± 0 5 3)kg。平均头颅B超初次检查时间为生后 (5 3± 6 3)d ,其中本院出生患儿为 (4 0± 2 0 )d ,外院出生患儿为 (7 0± 8 0 )d ,两者有非常显著性意义。总的IVH发生率为 5 6 6 % (2 2 2 / 392 ) ,重度IVH发生率为 16 3% (6 4 / 392 )。早产儿的胎龄愈小 ,出生体重愈低 ,其IVH发生率愈高 ,出血程度也趋严重。围产期窒息、家中自娩、机械通气、产妇为外来民工等因素与早产儿IVH及其出血程度密切相关。结论　鉴于早产儿IVH的高发生率及约一半IVH早产儿无明显临床症状 ,建议对所有早产儿在生后早期应常规进行床边头颅B超检查     

早产儿脑室内出血磁共振成像演变及相关因素分析

目的 探讨侧脑室前角指数(anterior horn index,AHI)在评价早产儿脑室内出血(intraventricular hemorrhage,IVH)磁共振成像(magnetic resonance imaging,MRI)演变规律中的作用,并探讨IVH发生的相关因素.方法 选择2009年1月至2011年9月我院新生儿内科病房收治的经头MRI检查证实为IVH(Ⅱ～Ⅳ级)早产儿为病例组(55例),选择同期住院的头MRI显示未见异常的早产儿为对照组(55例),并对30例病例组患儿于第1次MRI后2～3周再次MRI扫描,评估是否出现慢性侧脑室扩张(post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation,PHVD).比较两次扫描的AHI,并对引起早产儿IVH的相关因素进行分析.结果 MRI检查结果:9例出现PHVD的患儿两次头部MRI结果比较,AHI明显增大(0.36±0.05 vs 0.46±0.06,P＜0.01)；21例未出现PHVD的患儿两次头部MRI比较,AHI明显减小(0.31±0.02 vs 0.30±0.02,P＜0.01).Logistic回归分析结果:阴式分娩、肺表面活性物质应用及机械通气3个因素是IVH的相关因素(P＜0.05).结论 AHI可作为早产儿IVH后观察PHVD发生的有效指标,早产儿IVH患者,尤其是Ⅱ级IVH患者应动态监测AHI.阴式分娩、机械通气可能是早产儿IVH的危险因素,肺表面活性物质的应用可能是早产儿IVH的保护因素.     

早产儿脑室内出血的相关因素

目的探讨早产儿脑室内出血(IVH)发病相关因素及临床特点。方法调查172例早产儿胎龄、体质量、出生情况,通过床旁颅脑彩超确诊早产儿IVH,记录IVH临床表现、彩超结果,并与同期入院无IVH早产儿进行比较。结果1.胎龄与IVH发生有关(χ2=6.40P=0.011);2.出生体质量与IVH发生有关(χ2=26.49P=0);3.早产儿IVH多于生后72h内出现临床症状,生后5d内确诊,且多数早产儿IVH程度较轻,无明显临床症状;4.重度窒息早产儿较轻度窒息早产儿IVH发生率高、程度重。结论胎龄、出生体质量及窒息程度与早产儿IVH的发生呈线性关系;多数早产儿IVH无明显临床表现;床旁颅脑超声是诊断早产儿IVH可靠、敏感和简便的手段。     

中国早产儿脑室内出血患病率的多中心调查3768例报告

目的 中华医学会儿科学分会新生儿学组,组织14家三级甲等医院,进行了为期20个月的早产儿脑损伤多中心协作调查.报告其中9家提供完整资料的医院的早产儿脑室内出血(intraventricular hemorrhage,IVH)患病率的调查结果.方法 2005年1月至2006年8月,各参加单位对所有胎龄<37周的早产儿在生后3～7 d内常规进行初次床边头颅B超检查,以后每隔3～7 d复查1次,直至出院.脑室内出血的严重性采用Papile四级分级法.数据以x±s表爪,行X2检验.结果 9家医院出生或收住早产儿共3768例,其中发生IVH者352例,患病率为9.3%,重度患病率为2.1%(78/3768).分别为Ⅰ级IVH 23.3%(82/352),Ⅱ级IVH 54.5%(192/352),Ⅲ级IVH17.6%(62/352),Ⅳ级IVH 4.5%(16/352).早产儿IVH患病率(5.1%/14.1%)和重度IVH患病率(1.5%/2.7%)在4家妇婴医院均显著低于5家综合性或儿童专科医院(X2=89.045,P=0.000;X2=6.909,P=0.009).发生重度IVH的可能高危因素为胎膜早破、围产期室息、机械呼吸、双胎或多胎以及羊水污染等.结论本调查数据基本可以客观反映我国主要大城市早产儿IVH患病率的情况.由于我国60%以上的人口居住在农村,受农村医疗条件的限制,早产儿IVH患病率很有可能高于目前的调查结果,尚有待进一步组织包括乡村医院的多中心调查研究.     

苯巴比妥对早产儿脑室内出血的干预研究

早产儿脑室内出血（IVH）对早产儿危害严重,是早产儿死亡和存活者预后不良的重要原因,发生率高达65%[1].约有25%～50%的IVH早期无临床症状而被忽视,而对于严重影响早产儿IVH预后的并发症（出血后脑室扩张、脑积水）,目前尚无有效的治疗手段.所以,IVH的早期诊断、早期干预至关重要.本研究旨在采用影像学的方法（床旁头颅B超）诊断早产儿生后早期IVH,观察苯巴比妥对不同胎龄、不同体重早产儿IVH发病的影响,探讨苯巴比妥对早产儿IVH发病的干预作用.     

新生儿重症监护病房早产儿脑室内出血的临床分析及防治

目的探讨新生儿重症监护病房(NICU)早产儿脑室内出血(IVH)的发病因素及防治。方法回顾分析2000年1月至2006年3月我院NICU早产儿临床资料,生后3～7d内头颅B超检查情况。结果480例早产儿,脑室内出血160例,发生率达33.3%,与出生胎龄、出生体重呈负相关,与窒息、缺氧、感染、贫血等并发症程度呈正相关。结论IVH与胎龄、出生体重、窒息、缺氧、感染、贫血、机械通气密切相关,综合防治可减少IVH发生率,提高早产儿,尤其是极低体重儿的抢救成功率、避免或减少后遗症的发生。     

早产儿低血糖与C肽、胰岛素、皮质醇关系的研究

目的 探讨早产儿低血糖的特点及与C肽、胰岛素、皮质醇的关系.方法 对我院收治的150例早产儿进行血糖及C肽、胰岛素及皮质醇监测.结果 胎龄小于34周早产儿(63例)与胎龄34～37周(87例)早产儿低血糖发生率分别为47.6％、28.7％,差异有统计学意义(x2=19.704,P＜0.05).低血糖组(55例)生后24h和生后3d皮质醇水平明显低于正常血糖组(95例),差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),生后7d两组比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).患儿胰岛素、C肽在各时间点比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 早产儿低血糖发生率较高,应加强早产儿血糖监测.     

早产儿颅内出血的B超诊断及相关因素分析

目的 探讨早产儿颅内出血的影响因素.方法 收集2004-12-2005-05江西省妇幼保健院早产儿病例资料168例,根据颅脑B超、临床诊断结果,将其分为颅内出血组和对照组,并进行对比分析.结果 (1)胎龄≤32周或体重≤1500克早产儿的颅内出血发生率均明显高于胎龄＞32周或体重＞1500克的早产儿(x2=8.88,P＜0.01;x2=18.81,P＜0.01).(2)存在高危因素早产儿的颅内出血发生率明显高于无高危因素的早产儿(x2=24.20,P＜0.01);阴道分娩早产儿的颅内出血发生率明显高于剖宫产早产儿(x2=6.69,P=0.01).(3)窒息与无窒息早产儿的颅内出血发生率无明显差异(x2=0.18,P＞0.05).结论 胎龄越小,体重越轻,越易发生颅内出血;阴道分娩和各种高危因素均可导致早产儿颅内出血.减少早产儿、低体重儿的出生,可有效降低新生儿颅内出血的发生率和新生儿死亡率;颅脑B超可作为早产儿颅内出血的筛查、早期诊断和跟踪随访的重要检查手段.     

Risk factors in the development of intraventricular haemorrhage in the preterm neonate.

One hundred and forty-six infants of 34 weeks'' gestation or less were repeatedly scanned by means of real-time ultrasound to diagnose the presence of intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH), its severity, and the timing of onset of the condition. We describe a new method for grading the extent of the IVH which does not depend on ventricular size. IVH was clearly present in 52 (36%) of the 146 infants and in 32 (50%) of the 64 infants of 30 weeks'' gestation or less. Repeated scans accurately timed the onset of IVH in 41 infants, and 32 (78%) had the first sign of IVH before 72 hours of age. Thirty-two clinical factors were analysed for possible correlation with the development of IVH: outborn compared with inborn, administration of sodium bicarbonate, hypothermia, intermittent positive pressure ventilation, continuous positive airways pressure, hypercapnia, severe acidosis, and respiratory distress syndrome all reached statistical significance. Analysis of variance showed that respiratory distress syndrome was the most important factor, but severe acidosis had some independent action on the development of IVH. Seventeen (81%) of 21 infants with hypercapnia (PCO2 greater than 6 kPa) together with severe acidosis (pH less than 7.1) developed IVH, of which more than half was moderate or severe in degree.     

新生儿出生后24小时内凝血功能检测的临床意义分析

目的探讨不同胎龄以及不同体重新生儿凝血功能指标的差异,为判断凝血功能指标的临床意义提供参考。方法2015年1月至2018年12月期间,在解放军总医院第五医学中心新生儿科住院治疗的新生儿中,纳入170例胎龄28~42周、出生8 h内入院的新生儿,其中男性87例,女性83例。按胎龄分为早期早产儿组、晚期早产儿组和足月儿组。按新生儿出生体重分为正常出生体重组、低出生体重组和极低出生体重组。按是否小于胎龄分为早产适于胎龄儿组、早产小于胎龄儿组、足月适于胎龄儿组、足月小于胎龄儿组。于生后24 h内抽取静脉血,检测活化部分凝血活酶时间(activatedpartial thromboplastin time,APTT)、凝血酶原时间(prothrombin time,PT)、纤维蛋白原(fibrinogen,FIB)、凝血酶时间(thrombin,TT)及D-二聚体(D-dimer)。结果早期早产儿组的APTT、PT、D-二聚体水平均高于晚期早产儿组及足月儿组(P值均<0.05),FIB水平低于晚期早产儿组及足月儿组(P值均<0.05);晚期早产儿组的APTT、PT水平均高于足月儿组(P值均<0.05),但两组间D-二聚体、FIB水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P值均>0.05)。极低出生体重组的APTT、PT、D-二聚体水平均高于低出生体重组及正常出生体重组(P值均<0.05),FIB水平低于低出生体重组及正常出生体重组(P值均<0.05);低出生体重组的APTT、PT水平均高于正常出生体重组(P值均<0.05),但两组间D-二聚体、FIB水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P值均>0.05)。早产小于胎龄儿组D-二聚体水平高于早产适于胎龄儿组(P<0.05),其余指标比较差异无统计学意义(P值均>0.05);足月适于胎龄儿与足月小于胎龄儿组的凝血指标比较,差异均无统计学意义(P值均>0.05)。早产儿出血发生率高于足月儿[26.6%(29/109)与8.2%(5/61),χ^2=9.019,P=0.003]。结论新生儿凝血指标有胎龄和体重差异,胎龄越小、体重越低的新生儿凝血功能越不完善。     

Risk factors for intraventricular haemorrhage in very low birth weight infants

Objective: In a prospective study at Uludag University Hospital, 120 premature infants with birthweights of 1500 g or less were screened for intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) using cranial ultrasound. With the purpose of studying the incidence of IVH, the associated risk factors for these neonates were considered.Methods : We studied all the very low birth weight infants admitted in our neonatal unit. We examined the following variables as risk factors for IVH: sex, birth weight, gestational age, Apgar score, mechanichal ventilation, hypercapnia, use of antenatal steroids, tocolytic drugs, vaginalversus cesarean section delivery, and inbornversus outborn status, vasopressor infusion (any vasoactive drug such as dopamine, dobutamine, or epinephrine) not associated with resuscitation, and surfactant administration.Results :The incidence of IVH was 15% (18/120), 50% grade I (9/18), 17% grade II (3/18), 11 % grade III (2/18), and 22% grade IV (4/18). IVH occurred mainly in the first week of life (78%; 14/18). The significant risk factors for IVH were found to be prematurity, outborn status, low 5 minute Apgar score, vaginal delivery, hypercapnia, mechanical ventilation, hypotension, and use of vasopressors on the day of admission. Significant protective factors against IVH included antenatal steroid therapy, cesarean section, magnesium sulfate tocolysis, increasing gestational age, and increasing birth weight.Conclusion: Our results concur with the notion that a tertiary center is the optimal location for delivery of the high risk neonate. Transportation of infantsin utero to a perinatal center specializing in high risk-deliveries results in a decreased incidence of IVH when compared to infants transported postnatally. Aggressive resuscitation, with avoidance of hypercarbia, and rapid restoration of hypovolemia could potentially reduce the incidence of PVH/IVH     

Perinatal risk factors and intraventricular hemorrhage in newborn infants of birth weight less than or equal to 1,500 g

In a retrospective study in 113 preterm newborns (birth weight less than or equal to 1500 g, gestational age less than 35 weeks) intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH I-IV) determined by serial sonographic examinations was correlated to a number of maternal and neonatal risk factors. While there was no significant correlation to bleeding during the gestation, premature rupture of the membranes, mode of delivery, and age of the mother, incidence of IVH was significantly lower in newborns born to mothers with EPH-gestoses (p less than 0.05). A significant high incidence of IVH was found in very premature newborns (p less than 0.025) and in newborns with hyaline membrane disease (p less than 0.005). No single risk factor for a high incidence of IVH was found. IVH in very low birth weight infants probably is caused by summation of several different perinatal risk factors.     

HYPERTENSIVE PEAKS IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE IN THE NEWBORN. ABOLITION BY PHENOBARBITONE SEDATION

ABSTRACT. Mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) was measured continuously for 3 to 5 days after birth in 27 premature infants with a birth weight under 1500 g, and who required umbilical artery catheterisation. All had respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) occurred in 9 infants (33%), diagnosed by computered tomography (CT). IVH was more common in infants of lower gestational age, in infants delivered vaginally and in infants with perinatal asphyxia. Variable increases in MABP over the resting value occurred in all infants associated with increases in both active and passive motor activity. In 6 infant pairs matched for birth weight, gestational age, mode of delivery and severity of perinatal asphyxia, the infants who developed IVH had higher peak MABP valued compared to matched controls. Resting and minimum MABP values were not different in the two groups. We conclude that the large increases in arterial blood pressure which occur with both spontaneous motor activity and in association with nursing procedures, are an important cause of development of IVH in very low birth weight infants. An example is given to show that pressure peaks can be abolished by phenobarbitone sedation.     

Intraventricular haemorrhage in the preterm infant without hyaline membrane disease

The clinicopathological associations of 33 singleton infants who died with intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) without hyaline membrane disease (HMD) ('IVH only') were compared with those of 39 infants who died with IVH+HMD over the same gestation range in order to determine what factors other than those related to HMD may contribute to the pathogenesis of IVH. The incidence of 'IVH only' was inversely related to gestational age in the Hammersmith birth population, whereas the incidence of IVH+HMD rose to a peak at 28-29 weeks' gestation. Infants with 'IVH only' lived longer on average than those with IVH+HMD despite a lower birthweight and shorter gestation. Infants who died in the first 12 hours from 'IVH only' had suffered severe birth asphyxia but in those who died later the main symptom was recurrent apnoea. Fewer infants with asphyxia but in those who died later the main symptom was.recurrent apnoea. Fewer infants with 'IVH only' were given alkali therapy or were connected to the ventilator as compared to those with IVH+HMD, but there were no differences in alkali therapy in those who lived for 12 hours or more. In the 'IVH only' group there was a high incidence of haemorrhage from other sites and of bacterial infections. It is suggested that, in the absence of HMD, extreme immaturity is the main factor determining the occurrence of IVH. Birth asphyxia, apnoeic attacks, haemorrhage, and infections may play subsidiary roles, possibly through development of metabolic acidosis.     

Risk factors for intraventricular hemorrhage in very low birth weight infants in Tehran, Iran

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants; 80-90% of cases occur between birth and the third day of life. In a retrospective case control clinical study, files of all premature infants with birth weights <1500 grams admitted between April 2004 and October 2005 to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Akbar Abadi Hospital were reviewed. We determined risk factors that predispose to the development of high-grade IVH (grades 3 and 4) in VLBW infants. Thirty-nine infants with IVH grade 3 and 4 were identified. A control group of 82 VLBW infants were also selected. Prenatal data, delivery characteristics, neonatal course data and reports of cranial ultrasonography were carefully collected for both groups. Those variables that achieved significance (p<0.05) in univariate analysis were entered into multivariate logistic regression analysis. A total of 325 VLBW infants were evaluated. Mortality rate was 21.5%. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that the following factors are associated with greater risk of high-grade IVH occurrence: lower gestational age (OR: 3.72; 95% CI: 1.65-8.38), birth weight (OR: 3.42; 95% CI: 1.65-8.38), mechanical ventilation (OR: 4.14; 95% CI: 1.35-12.2), tocolytic therapy with magnesium sulfate (OR: 4.40; 95% CI: 1.10-24.5), hyaline membrane disease (HMD, OR: 3.16; 95% CI: 1.42-7.45), symptomatic hypotension (OR: 2.32; 95% CI: 1.06-5.42), hypercapnia (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1-3.4) and Apgar score at 5 minutes (OR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.59-6.32).     

Ommaya储液囊植入治疗早产儿脑室内出血后脑积水的疗效及其影响因素分析

目的：观察Ommaya储液囊植入治疗早产儿脑室内出血后脑积水的临床疗效并探讨影响其疗效的相关因素。方法：采用双向性队列研究的方法分析20例因脑室内出血后脑积水而接受Ommaya储液囊植入术治疗的早产儿（胎龄＜32周,出生体重＜1500 g）的临床资料及随访资料,观察手术的治疗效果。根据治疗效果的不同分为治愈组和治疗失败组,采用单因素分析的方法探讨影响其疗效的相关因素。结果：(1)Ommaya储液囊植入术后 30 d,脑积水情况明显改善。(2)术后3个月,部分患儿临床疗效显著下降：术后3~6个月内7例转行脑室-腹腔分流术,4例因经济原因放弃治疗,1例因头皮下血肿伴皮肤坏死转行第三脑室底造瘘术;其余8例至12~18个月时脑室恢复正常大小。(3)并发症情况：术后继发性脑室内出血8例,颅内感染2例,头皮下血肿伴皮肤坏死1例。(4)单因素分析显示胎龄、出生体重、Ommaya储液囊植入时脑积水时间在治愈组和治疗失败组比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论：Ommaya储液囊植入术治疗早产儿颅内出血后脑积水短期内疗效显著,但随时间延长部分患儿治疗效果降低。小胎龄、低出生体重、脑积水时间长可能是影响疗效的主要因素。     

Grades I-II intraventricular hemorrhage in extremely low birth weight infants: effects on neurodevelopment

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the effect of grades I-II intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) on the neurosensory and cognitive outcomes of extremely low birth weight infants. STUDY DESIGN: Of 706 extremely low birth weight infants without major malformations admitted to our center from 1992 to 2000, 537 survived to 20 months' corrected age (CA) and had cranial ultrasound studies performed, of whom 490 (91%) had complete neurodevelopmental assessments. Infants with severe cranial ultrasound abnormalities or meningitis were excluded, leaving a population of 362 infants, 258 of whom had a normal cranial ultrasound and 104 had an isolated grade I-II IVH. The groups had similar birth weight (808 vs 801 grams) and gestational age (26.5 vs 26.3 weeks). Outcomes of infants with normal cranial ultrasound were compared with those with grades I-II IVH at 20 months' CA. Outcomes included the Bayley Scales of Infant Development Mental Developmental Index (MDI) and major neurosensory abnormality. Logistic regression was used to assess the effect of grades I-II IVH on outcomes while adjusting for other risk factors. RESULTS: Extremely low birth weight infants with grades I-II IVH had a significantly lower mean MDI score than infants with normal cranial ultrasound (74 +/- 16 vs 79 +/- 14, P = .006). They had higher rates of MDI <70 (45% vs 25%; OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.20 to 3.30; P = .008), major neurologic abnormality (13% vs 5%; OR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.06 to 6.36; P = .036), and neurodevelopmental impairment (47% vs 28%; OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.11 to 3.03; P = .018) at 20 months' CA, even when adjusting for confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS: Extremely low birth weight infants with grades I-II IVH have poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes at 20 months' CA than infants with normal cranial ultrasound. Advanced radiologic imaging may indicate additional brain injury associated with grade I-II IVH, which could explain these outcomes.     

Neutropenia and intraventricular hemorrhage among very low birth weight (less than 1500 grams) premature infants

To assess the previously reported association of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) with neutropenia, we prospectively followed during a 38-month study period infants with birth weight less than or equal to 1500 gm who survived greater than 72 hours and underwent serial cranial sonography and neutrophil counts for the first 14 days of life. Neutrophil counts were interpreted according to a widely employed reference range. Infants with conditions other than IVH reported to be associated with neutropenia (sepsis, maternal hypertension, 5-minute Apgar score less than or equal to 5) were excluded. Final study groups included 38 infants with IVH and 114 without IVH. No significant differences were found for birth weight, gestational age, respiratory distress syndrome, mechanical ventilation, prolonged rupture of membranes, patent ductus arteriosus, route of delivery, pneumothorax, or sex. The occurrence of neutropenia before 14 days of age was not significantly different between the groups (50% with IVH, 56% without IVH), nor were differences found at individual postnatal ages. Comparison of immature neutrophil count and immature/total neutrophil ratio also revealed no differences. The high incidence of neutropenia in our non-IVH group raises questions about application of these widely accepted reference ranges to very low birth weight infants.