Incidence and Severity of Intra-Ventricular Hemorrhage (IVH) in Preterm Infants, Northeast of Iran

Ehsan Alaee,Hadi Khorsand Zak,Mahnaz Fouladinejad,Nematollah Nematollahi

doi:10.3126/jnps.v36i1.14457

Abstract

Introduction: The incidence rate of Intra-Ventricular Haemorrhage (IVH) varies from 20% to 25% among preterm infants with a very low birth weight. IVH could compose critical disabilities which are directly associated to its grade. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and severity of IVH in preterm infants referred to the academic Hospital of Gorgan, Northeast of Iran.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we examined all preterm infants who had been referred to the academic Hospital of Gorgan, Northeast of Iran between Augusts 2014 and February 2015. Seventy one preterm infants (≤34 weeks of gestation, ≤1500g birth weight) have been included. Cranial ultrasound was done within 3-5 days of birth for all subjects and subsequent ultrasounds were performed based on their birth weight by portable ultrasound device.Results: The overall incidence of IVH was 64.8% in the present study. There was a significant relationship between IVH incidence and the gestational age (p=0.010). Also the lower birth weight was associated to the higher rate of IVH complications reported in sequential ultrasounds (p<0.05).Conclusion: Gestational age and birth weight seem to have key roles in the occurrence and severity of IVH, respectively.J Nepal Paediatr Soc 2016;36(1):38-41

Highlights

The incidence rate of Intra-Ventricular Haemorrhage (IVH) varies from 20% to 25% among preterm infants with a very low birth weight
The incidence rate of Intra Ventricular Haemorrhage (IVH) has been reported 20% to 25% among preterm infants with an extremely low birth weight and 45% in those weighing 500-750 gm[1], and remains as a major complication of preterm labour resulting in certain critical disabilities[2,3].Those infants with a gestational age less than 28 weeks are more susceptible to IVH, and those who survive will show signals of neuro-developmental failures and long-term disabilities[4,5]
There was a significant relation between IVH incidence and the gestational age (p=0.010) but the severity of IVH and the gestational age were not significantly related (p=0.255)

Summary

Introduction

The incidence rate of Intra-Ventricular Haemorrhage (IVH) varies from 20% to 25% among preterm infants with a very low birth weight. The incidence rate of Intra Ventricular Haemorrhage (IVH) has been reported 20% to 25% among preterm infants with an extremely low birth weight and 45% in those weighing 500-750 gm[1], and remains as a major complication of preterm labour resulting in certain critical disabilities[2,3].Those infants with a gestational age less than 28 weeks are more susceptible to IVH, and those who survive will show signals of neuro-developmental failures and long-term disabilities[4,5]. Periventricular germinal matrix is the onset location of the IVH where the neuronal precursor cells and glial are accumulated[6] In preterm infants, this region is vulnerable to haemorrhage mainly in the first 48 hours of life. Cranial ultrasound is performed to reach the most accurate diagnosis in these infants and as a screening process in asymptomatic ones[1]

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Conclusion