中国七大城市早产儿脑损伤发生率的多中心调查报告(英文)

目的中华医学会儿科学分会新生儿学组组织国内7个城市的10家三级甲等医院进行了早产儿脑损伤多中心协作研究。该文报告其中早产儿脑损伤发生率的调查结果。方法 2005年1月至2006年8月期间,各参加单位对所有胎龄<37周的早产儿在生后3 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。结果 9单位总脑室内出血(IVH)发生率和重度IVH发生率分别为10.8%(406/3 768)和2.4%(92/3 768),其中I级IVH 22.6%(92/406),Ⅱ级54.7%(222/406),Ⅲ级17.2%(70/406),Ⅳ级5.4%(22/406);10医院中总脑室周围白质软化(PVL)发生率和囊性PVL发生率分别为2.3%(112/4 933)和0.3%(16/4 933),其中Ⅰ级PVL 85.7%(96/112),Ⅱ级12.5%(14/112),Ⅲ级1.8%(2/112)。发生重度IVH的可能高危因素为阴道分娩(OR=1.874,95%CI=1.172～2.997,P<0.01)、围产期窒息(OR=1.598,95%CI=1.077～2.372,P<0.05)、机械呼吸(OR=3.98...     

早产儿脑室周围强回声区分度与脑室周围白质囊性变的关系

目的：了解早产儿脑室周围强回声区（PVE）分度与脑室周围白质囊性变发生率及囊性变出现时间的关系。方法：对2005年2月至2008年5月间该院新生儿重症监护室住院超声诊断为PVE的120例早产儿（平均胎龄为32周,平均出生体重2 230 g）进行回顾性单元分析研究。结果：① 诊断为PVEⅠ度52例（43％）,PVEⅡ度42例（35％）,PVEⅢ度26例（22％）,PVE分度与出生体重密切相关,与胎龄无关。②120例早产儿脑白质囊性变发生率24％(29/120),PVEⅢ度囊性变发生率65％,Ⅱ度囊性变发生率21％,PVEⅢ度囊性变发生率明显高于PVEⅡ度。③囊性变出现的时间各不相同,PVEⅢ度组囊性变出现的时间明显早于PVEⅡ度组。结论：PVE分度与脑室周围白质囊性变出现的时间及囊性变发生率密切相关,因此对不同程度的PVE动态监测囊性变有不同的侧重点。［中国当代儿科杂志,2009,11（2）：104-106］     

脑室周围白质软化新生大鼠模型的创建及所伴随的白内障病变

目的：创建与人类早产儿脑室周围白质软化（periventricular leukomalacia，PVL）病理相似的可靠PVL动物模型，并探索本PVL模型所伴随的白内障病变及其形成机制。方法：新生大鼠分为PVL组和假手术对照组，通过双侧颈总动脉结扎和8％低氧下缺氧30 min，建立PVL动物模型。分别于术后1 d进行脑片TTC染色以观察脑梗死情况，术后2 d和21 d进行光镜下脑病理检查，以及术后21 d进行眼部裂隙灯检查和光镜下眼球病理检查。结果：脑片TTC染色显示PVL新生大鼠脑组织呈现大面积白色梗死区，其梗死体积达（53.45±33.90） mm3，梗死百分比为（24.98±15.44）％。光镜下病理研究证实，术后2 d的PVL新生大鼠脑室周围以及皮层下白质呈现囊性坏死和细胞凋亡，皮质神经元损伤轻微。术后21 d，其脑室周围以及皮质下白质可见多个囊性疏松坏死区域形成。相应日龄假手术组大鼠脑组织内则未观察到明显病理改变。术后21 d后，肉眼及裂隙灯下均观察到PVL组所有幼鼠双眼均呈现白内障，光镜下显示球后组织无明显病理改变。假手术组幼鼠眼部均正常。结论：通过对2日龄新生大鼠进行双侧颈总动脉结扎伴缺氧，成功创建了与人类早产儿PVL病理相似的PVL动物模型，效果肯定，重复性好。同时本建模方法也可引起白内障病变，可作为制作白内障动物模型的推荐方法之一。［中国当代儿科杂志，2007，9（3）：220-224］     

6家医院147例脑损伤早产儿的多中心随访报告

目的：在中华医学会儿科学分会新生儿学组的发起下,国内十余家三级甲等医院于2005年1月始进行了为期20月的《早产儿脑损伤》多中心协作研究。该文报告其中6家医院对脑损伤早产儿临床随访的调查结果。方法：2005年1月至2006年8月期间,6家医院对在新生儿早期诊断为脑室内出血（IVH）和脑室周围白质软化（PVL）的早产儿出院后进行定期随访,综合体格、神经系统、智力测试及头颅B超随访结果,将早产儿列为正常、边缘水平及发育不良。结果：6单位147例脑损伤早产儿中,IVH 141例,PVL 36例,其中30例合并IVH＋PVL。总评价结果呈正常为51.4％,呈边缘水平或发育不良分别为38.4％和10.7％。头围、身长、体重均落后者占13.4％;脑瘫发生频率在I级PVL为 7.1％,II级PVL为28.6％,III级PVL为100％;智力测试显示12.7％呈现发育迟缓;头颅B超结果显示30％呈现脑损伤后遗改变。结论：该多中心调查数据可基本反映我国主要大城市脑损伤早产儿短期预后状况,约10％脑损伤早产儿呈现体格、运动及智能发育不良预后。期待各单位继续对更多脑损伤早产儿进行长期跟踪随访,尤其宜关注围学龄期及青春期可能发生的行为问题。［中国当代儿科杂志,2009,11（3）：166-172］     

早产儿脑室周围-脑室内出血与脑室周围白质软化的诊断建议

早产儿常见脑损伤主要为脑室周围．脑室内出血（PVH-IVH）和脑室周围白质软化（PVL）,与早产儿中枢神经系统的解剖生理学和神经生物学发育不成熟密切相关。前者为出血性病变,常导致脑室内出血后脑积水和脑室周围出血性髓静脉梗死等严重并发症。后者为缺血性病变,也与官内感染有关。其中局部PVL的病理特征是白质少突胶质细胞前体的急性坏死,在后期可形成多发小囊腔。弥漫性PVL又称为弥漫性白质损伤,其病理特征是白质少突胶质细胞前体的凋亡性死亡,少见出现囊腔改变。局部和弥漫性PVL最终均导致脑白质容量减小和髓鞘化受损。PVH-IVH和PVL是引起早产儿早期死亡、脑瘫、视、听和认知障碍的主要原因。     

经脑室神经干细胞移植对脑室周围白质软化新生大鼠的脑病理评估

目的：对经脑室植入神经干细胞（NSCs）的脑室周围白质软化（Periventricular leukolamacia，PVL）新生大鼠进行光镜下脑病理评估，探讨NSCs移植对治疗早产儿PVL的可行性。方法：采用E14胎鼠大脑皮层制备NSCs。2日龄新生大鼠随机分为PVL对照组（PVL组），PVL＋DMEM/F12培养基对照组（PVL＋DMEM/F12组），PVL＋神经干细胞（NSCs）移植组（PVL＋NSCs组），假手术对照组（Sham组），Sham＋DMEM／F12培养基对照组（Sham＋DMEM/F12组），Sham＋NSCs移植组（Sham＋NSCs组），每组18～21只。对2日龄PVL新生大鼠在建模后72 h进行经脑室NSCs移植，分别于移植后7，14，21 d进行光镜下脑病理评估。结果：随着移植后时间的增加，脑白质病变呈进一步改善。移植后21 d光镜下病理证实，未移植组脑白质呈轻度和重度病变各占50％，神经元病理评分为1.28±0.86。移植组则有30％白质完全正常，轻度和重度病变各占40％和30％，神经元病理评分为0.32±0.16，两组在脑白质病变程度以及神经元病理评分之间的差异均呈非常显著性意义（χ2＝10.7，P<0.01；F=29.664, P<0.01）。结论：经脑室外源性NSCs移植可明显改善脑白质的病理损伤。经脑室NSCs移植对早产儿PVL具有很大的治疗潜力，为今后成功防治早产儿这一最常见的脑损伤顽症提供了新的可行性途径。     

磁共振弥散加权成像在早产儿脑室周围白质软化早期的预测价值

目的 探讨磁共振弥散加权成像(DWI)早期评价和预测早产儿脑室周围白质软化(PVL)的作用及意义.方法 回顾分析2005年8月至2007年4月,在我院新生儿科住院,且经头部MRI确诊的12例PVL早产儿生后7 d内、2 w和4 w的DWI及常规MRI资料.结果 初次检查(平均生后4.5 d)全部病例DWI均显示双侧脑室周围脑白质对称性、弥漫性高信号,常规MRI基本正常;出生后2周DWI示脑白质内不规则高、低混杂信号,而常规MRI则显示相应部位小片状或点状T1WI高信号,T2WI稍低信号;出生后4W DWI示侧脑室后角、枕部三角区大小不等的囊性低信号,常规MRI显示相应病灶的T1WI低信号,T2WI高信号(即囊性PVL改变);出生后4个月常规MRI示囊腔逐渐变小、消失,脑白质减少、脑室扩大.结论 DWI显示的双侧脑室周围白质对称性弥漫性高信号是PVL的最早期表现;所提供的影像学异常变化与晚期常规MRl所证实PVL发生的高度相关性,表明了DWI可能是早期评价脑白质损伤及预测早产儿PVL发生的重要检测手段.     

绒毛膜羊膜炎对早产儿脑损伤的影响

目的：探讨绒毛膜羊膜炎与早产儿脑损伤的相关性。方法：选取2008年6月至2011年6月出生的早产儿（28~34周）共88例。根据是否存在绒毛膜羊膜炎,分为病例组(41例)和对照组（47例）。所有的病例生后定期行头颅B超检查,生后3~7 d行颅脑弥散加权成像（DWI）检查,且于纠正胎龄 40 周时行颅脑MRI 检查,比较两组脑室周围白质软化（PVL）和脑室周围-脑室内出血（PVH-IVH）的发生情况。结果：病例组PVL的发生率为32%,对照组PVL的发生率为6%,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。而两组PVH-IVH的发生率分别为27%和23%,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论：绒毛膜羊膜炎与早产儿脑损伤有一定的关系,可使早产儿PVL的发生率增加,而对PVH-IVH的影响不大。     

早产儿脑室内出血和脑室周围白质软化的临床表现及治疗

脑室内出血（IVH）和脑室周围白质软化（PVL）均是极低出生体重（VLBW）早产儿常见的脑损伤类型,尽管其发生均与早产儿脑室周围血液动力学和解剖学因素相关,前者主要为出血性病变,而后者则为早产儿脑室周围白质的缺血性病变,两种损害常可同时存在。     

脑室周围白质软化早产儿出生早期MRI表现及其演变

目的 探讨最终发展为脑室周围白质软化（periventricular leucomalacia,PVL）的早产儿出生早期头部MRI表现及其演变.方法 选取2010年1月至2013年12月中国医科大学附属盛京医院新生儿科住院经MRI确诊为PVL的患儿12例,所有病例均在生后2～7d（平均5.5d）及17～23 d（平均20.3 d）完成2次常规MRI及弥散加权成像（diffusion-weighted imaging,DWI）扫描.结果 最终被确诊的12例PVL患儿,初次扫描结果：全部病例DWI显示脑室周围白质高信号,其中6例弥漫、对称性高信号,3例线状高信号,3例簇状高信号,而常规MRI仅有5例显示T1加权像稍高信号,T2加权像稍低信号,余7例无改变;再次扫描结果：全部患儿脑室周围白质出现大小不等、数量不一的病灶,常规MRI显示T1加权像低信号,T2加权像高信号,相应病变部位DWI呈低信号.结论 早产儿出生早期,DWI对发现和预测PVL优于常规MRI;弥漫性脑白质损伤易发展为PVL,较严重的局灶性脑白质损伤,如多簇状、线状损伤也有发展成PVL的可能.     

Incidence of brain injuries in premature infants with gestational age ≤34 weeks in ten urban hospitals in China

Background

There is a large number (1.5 million per year) of premature births in China. It is necessary to obtain the authentic incidences of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), the common brain injuries, in Chinese premature infants. The present multicenter study aimed to investigate the incidence of brain injuries in premature infants in ten urban hospitals in China.

Methods

The research proposal was designed by the Subspecialty Group of Neonatology of Pediatric Society of the Chinese Medical Association. Ten large-scale urban hospitals voluntarily joined the multicenter investigation. All premature infants with a gestational age ≤34 weeks in the ten hospitals were subjected to routine cranial ultrasound within three days after birth, and then to repeated ultrasound every 3–7 days till their discharge from the hospital from January 2005 to August 2006. A uniform data collection sheet was designed to record cases of brain injuries.

Results

The incidences of overall IVH and severe IVH were 19.7% (305/1551) and 4.6% (72/1551), respectively with 18.4% (56/305) for grade 1, 58.0% (177/305) for grade 2, 17.7% (54/305) for grade 3 and 5.9% (18/305) for grade 4 in nine hospitals. The incidences of overall PVL and cystic PVL were 5.0% (89/1792) and 0.8% (14/1792) respectively, with 84.3% (75/89) for grade 1, 13.5% (12/89) for grade 2, and 2.2% (2/89) for grade 3 in the ten hospitals. The statistically significant risk factors that might aggravate the severity of IVH were vaginal delivery (OR=1.883, 95% CI: 1.099–3.228, P=0.020) and mechanical ventilation (OR=4.150, 95% CI: 2.384–7.223, P=0.000). The risk factors that might result in the development of cystic PVL was vaginal delivery (OR=21.094, 95% CI: 2.650–167.895, P=0.000).

Conclusions

The investigative report can basically reflect the incidence of brain injuries in premature infants in major big cities of China. Since more than 60% of the Chinese population live in the rural areas of China, it is expected to undertake a further multicenter investigation covering the rural areas in the future.     

Trends in severe brain injury and neurodevelopmental outcome in premature newborn infants: the role of cystic periventricular leukomalacia

OBJECTIVES: To determine if the incidence of sonographically detected cystic periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and periventricular hemorrhagic infarction (PVHI) have changed over the past decade and to determine if a decline in cystic PVL was associated with a change in neurodevelopmental outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Premature newborn infants admitted to our intensive care nursery from 1992 to 2002 were identified in a comprehensive nursery database. Premature newborn infants had routine neurosonography by means of a standardized protocol. Infants weighing < or =1500 g at birth surviving to nursery discharge were enrolled in a nursery follow-up clinic. RESULTS: Adjusting for gestational age, there was a significant decrease in cystic PVL from 1992 to 2002 (P=.003) without a concurrent decrease in PVHI (P=0.5). Cystic PVL and PVHI accounted for only 9 of the 28 cases of cerebral palsy and 12 of 90 cases of abnormal Developmental Scores in infants weighing <1500 g at birth. The decline in cystic PVL was not associated with improved developmental outcome from 1992 to 2002. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of cystic PVL declined significantly from 1992 to 2002 at our center. Cystic PVL was detected by ultrasound in a minority of infants with abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome, indicating that other forms of cerebral injury account for the majority of abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes in premature newborn infants.     

White matter damage and intraventricular hemorrhage in very preterm infants: the EPIPAGE study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of cranial ultrasound abnormalities in very preterm infants as a function of gestational age, plurality, intrauterine growth restriction, and death before discharge. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, population-based cohort of 2667 infants born between 22 and 32 weeks of gestation in 1997 in nine regions of France, transferred to a neonatal intensive care unit, for whom at least one cranial ultrasound scan was available. RESULTS: The frequencies of white matter damage (WMD), major WMD, cystic periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), periventricular parenchymal hemorrhagic involvement, and intraventricular hemorrhage with ventricular dilatation were 21%, 8%, 5%, 3%, and 3%, respectively. The risk of WMD increased with decreasing gestational age. Mean age at diagnosis of cystic PVL was older for the most premature infants. Intraventricular hemorrhage with ventricular dilatation was associated with a higher risk of cystic PVL. Intrauterine growth restriction was not associated with a lower prevalence of cystic PVL. CONCLUSION: The frequency of WMD is high in very preterm babies and is strongly related to gestational age. The incidence of cystic PVL did not differ between babies with intrauterine growth restriction and babies who were appropriate for gestational age.     

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.     

Periventricular leucomalacia and intraventricular haemorrhage in the preterm neonate.

Two hundred very low birthweight infants were prospectively scanned to ascertain the incidence of periventricular leucomalacia (PVL) and haemorrhage. Before collection of data, clear definitions of ultrasound abnormalities believed to represent PVL and intraventricular haemorrhage were described. These referred to small and moderate intraventricular haemorrhage, paenchymal haemorrhage, and PVL, including prolonged flare (echoes in the periventricular region lasting for two weeks or more and not becoming cystic). Sixty nine infants (34%) had no abnormality on ultrasound scans. Intraventricular haemorrhage occurred in 107 babies (37 grade I and 62 grade II), and only eight infants were thought to have true parenchymal haemorrhage. Ultrasound appearances of PVL were seen in 27 infants, 19 of whom developed cysts and eight died in the precystic stage. Prolonged flare occurred in another 25 babies. Unilateral parenchymal haemorrhage occurred in four infants who subsequently developed cystic PVL in the contralateral hemisphere. Twenty one infants developed ventricular dilatation, 12 of whom had associated parenchymal lesions. Haemorrhage, PVL, and flare occurred commonly in infants of 30 weeks'' gestation and below and became markedly less common in more mature infants. We believe prolonged flare represents a form of PVL, and in this study a total of 52 (26%) infants had an ultrasound appearance of periventricular leucomalacia, an incidence considerably higher than previously reported.     

Late-onset circulatory dysfunction of premature infants and late-onset periventricular leukomalacia

Background: The sudden appearance of hypotension and oliguria without obvious cause following stable circulation and respiration in preterm infants is frequent in Japan. Such episodes are referred to as late‐onset circulatory dysfunction of premature infants (LCD). Volume expanders and inotropic agents are often ineffective against this condition, whereas i.v. steroids are significantly effective. A major problem is that cystic periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) often develops a few weeks after an episode. The aim of the present study was to clarify the risk factors, including LCD, related to cystic PVL. Methods: A case–control study was performed for preterm infants who were delivered at <33 weeks of gestation and admitted to seven neonatal intensive care units in Japan. Cystic PVL infants were stratified into early‐onset PVL diagnosed within 28 days of age and late‐onset PVL diagnosed after more than 28 days of age. The reported and new risk factors for PVL, for each group of PVL infants, and for all PVL infants, were compared with controls. Results: Thirty‐two infants were diagnosed with cystic PVL (17 early‐onset and 15 late‐onset). All PVL infants significantly differed from controls on Apgar score, number of abortions and pregnancies, intraventricular hemorrhage, and LCD. LCD was diagnosed in 28.1% of both PVL groups compared with 6.3% of controls (P = 0.02). Multivariate analysis demonstrated significant association between late‐onset PVL and LCD. Conclusion: LCD was significantly associated with cystic PVL, especially late‐onset PVL. Elucidating the cause of LCD might reduce the incidence of PVL and improve the neurological prognosis of preterm infants.     

Significance of hypocarbia in the development of periventricular leukomalacia in preterm infants

BACKGROUND: Despite rapid advances in the management of preterm infants, periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) remains a considerable problem in neonatal intensive care. The aim of this study was to determine whether hypocarbia is associated with the development of PVL in mechanically ventilated, preterm infants and to emphasize the importance of avoiding this disturbance. METHODS: The authors evaluated 52 mechanically ventilated infants with a gestational age of <34 weeks, who exhibited hypocarbia in the first three postnatal days (lowest carbon dioxide tension being <25 mmHg). These infants were then compared with 52 infants in a control group not exhibiting hypocarbia, matched for birthweight and gestational age. A diagnosis of PVL was made on the basis of the results of cranial ultrasonography. Confounding factors potentially associated with the development of PVL were controlled in logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Of the 52 mechanically ventilated preterm infants with hypocarbia, 10 (19.2%) developed cystic PVL, and six (11.5%) developed periventricular echodensity. Of the 52 infants in the control group only two (3.8%) developed cystic PVL, and one (1.9%) infant developed periventricular echodensity. The authors observed no significant differences in other prenatal and perinatal risk factors between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Hypocarbia in mechanically ventilated preterm infants during the first days of life is suggested as being an independent predictor of PVL, predisposing these infants to subsequent neurodevelopmental delay.     

Risk factors and determinants of neurodevelopmental outcome in cystic periventricular leucomalacia

The aim of the study was to determine risk factors for the development of cystic periventricular leucomalacia (PVL) and to correlate ultrasound findings with neurodevelopmental outcome. By means of a retrospective case-control study (matched for gestational age, birth weight, sex, and year of birth) and a cohort analysis of all preterm infants with cystic PVL documented by ultrasound scans hospitalised at a local tertiary care centre between 1988 and 1998, 98 preterm infants with a gestational age ranging from 26 to 35 weeks were diagnosed as having cystic PVL. The mean day of diagnosis of periventricular echodensities was 3 ± 2 days (range 1–11 days), and of cystic PVL 21 ± 8 days (range 2–47 days). Of 79 infants (1988–1997) eligible for neurodevelopmental follow-up (91%), hemi-, di-, or tetraplegia was diagnosed in 61 (77%), normal mental outcome in 22 (28%), associated visual disorders in 41 (52%) and seizure disorders in 12 (15%) infants. Significant risk factors associated with the development of cystic PVL were premature rupture of membranes, chorioamnionitis, and hyperbilirubinaemia (odds ratios 4.665, 6.026, and 2.460 respectively). Subgroup analysis according to gestational age (26–28, 29–32, 33–35 weeks) revealed similar results despite spontaneous labour (26–28 weeks; odds ratio 4.808) and pre-eclampsia (33–35 weeks; odds ratio 3.517). Multiple pregnancy was associated with a twofold increased risk (odds ratio 2.075). The white matter damage probably accounted for the significantly higher prevalence of apnoeas (P < 0.001) and neonatal seizures (P < 0.001). Cysts located bilateral or parieto-occipital were associated with a higher risk of cerebral palsy (odds ratios 6.933 and 4.327 respectively). Solely anterior located cysts were associated with normal neurological outcome. Increasing size of the cysts was associated with increasing risk of cerebral palsy with a cut-off value of 10 mm (odds ratio 3.300 and above) and all infants with cysts of more than 20 mm diameter had cerebral palsy. Conclusion The high prevalence of premature rupture of the membranes and chorioamnionitis further supports the role of intra-uterine infection in the pathogenesis of periventricular leucomalacia. The overall prognosis of cystic periventricular leucomalacia is poor. Received: 30 September 1999 and in revised form: 28 February 2000 / Accepted: 17 March 2000     

Cranial sonography in very-low-birth-weight infants: do all infants need to be screened?

The objective of the study was to develop clinical screening criteria to diagnose infants with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and cystic periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). We performed a case-control investigation of two cohorts of very-low-birth-weight infants (n = 505, combined cohorts). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed from data obtained in cohort 1 to develop screening criteria for IVH and cystic PVL. The screening criteria were then applied to cohort 2. The screening criteria for IVH had a sensitivity of only 51%, a specificity of 62%, a positive predictive value of 31%, and a negative predictive value of 79%. Screening criteria for cystic PVL had a sensitivity of only 22%, a specificity of 58% a positive predictive value of 2%, and a negative predictive value of 95%. These data suggest that using clinical criteria to determine which infants should receive screening cranial sonography for IVH and cystic PVL would miss a substantial number of infants with these conditions.