Incidence Of Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage Research Articles

Antenatal Betamethasone: A Prolonged Time Interval from Administration to Delivery Is Associated With an Increased Incidence of Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Infants Born Before 28 Weeks’ Gestation

(Abstracted from J Pediatr 2016;177:114–120) Studies, including several randomized controlled trials, have reported that neonates exposed to antenatal corticosteroids have reduced incidence of death, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), and severe grades of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). The present study aimed to investigate the effects of antenatal corticosteroids on severe IVH in infants born at less than 28 weeks’ gestation based on the hypothesis that the beneficial effects of antenatal steroids on severe IVH diminish with time in these infants and that retreatment with a second course of antenatal betamethasone (BMZ) can restore its beneficial effects.

Antenatal Betamethasone: A Prolonged Time Interval from Administration to Delivery Is Associated with an Increased Incidence of Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Infants Born before 28 Weeks Gestation

To examine the effects of antenatal steroids on severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in infants born during the IVH vulnerable period (<28 weeks gestational age) and to evaluate rates of IVH correlated with the time interval between treatment or retreatment and birth. A total of 429 infants (<28 weeks gestation), who delivered ≥24 hours after the first betamethasone (BMZ) course (2 doses), were divided into groups based on the interval between the first course of BMZ and delivery: <10 days or ≥10 days. The primary outcome was severe IVH. Multiple regression analyses were performed to adjust for potential confounders. Three hundred ninety-two infants delivered after a single BMZ course (312 delivered <10 days; 80 ≥10 days). The incidence of severe IVH was 17% for infants delivered ≥10 days and 7% for those delivered <10 days after a single BMZ course (aOR 4.16; 95% CI 1.59-10.87, P = .004); 37 infants (born ≥10 days from the first BMZ course) received a second/rescue BMZ course. The incidence of severe IVH among infants receiving a second/rescue course was 8%, which was similar to the incidence among infants born <10 days (aOR 1.7; 95% CI 0.41-6.6, P = .48). In infants born before 28 weeks gestation, delivery ≥10 days from the first BMZ course is associated with a higher incidence of severe IVH; a second/rescue course may reverse this effect.

Epidemiology of Posthemorrhagic Ventricular Dilatation in Canadian Neonatal Intensive Care Units

Abstract BACKGROUND: Severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a common cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality .The incidence and management of post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PHVD) vary among different centres. OBJECTIVES: To assess the incidence, temporal trend, management and associated outcomes of PHVD in Canadian NICUs. DESIGN/METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all pre-term infants (22+0 -32+6 weeks) who were admitted to NICUs participating in the Canadian Neonatal Network between 2010 and 2014. Infants with severe IVH (IVH with ventricular dilatation or parenchymal bleeding) who survived ≥ 72 hours were included. We compared the rates of severe IVH, PHVD and VP shunting between the 5 Canadian regions. Short-term outcomes of infants who developed PHVD (ventricles size ≥10 mm) were compared with those who did not. RESULTS: Of 16600 eligible infants, 1964 (11.8%) developed severe IVH. Of 1815 infants with severe IVH who survived ≥72 hours, 616 (34%) developed PHVD and 91 (5%) treated with VP shunt. No significant difference in the incidence of severe IVH, PHVD or VP shunting over the last five years was noted. There was a statistically significant difference in the rates of severe IVH (p&amp;lt;0.0001) and PHVD (p=0.02) among the 5 Canadian regions. VP shunts rates were variable with some Canadian regions with higher rates of PHVD had low rates of VP shunts. [figure 1]. Infants with PHVD had significantly higher mortality and short term morbidities. [table 1]. On regression analysis, PHVD is an independent predictor of death in infants with severe IVH [adjusted OR 1.55, 95% CI (1.18, 2.04)]. Infants with VP shunt had significantly higher rates of severe ROP (p&amp;lt;0.0001), meningitis (p&amp;lt;0.0001), and hospitalization (89 vs 41 days, p&amp;lt;0.0001). CONCLUSION: PHVD is an independent predictor of death and is associated with adverse short- term outcomes. Variability exists between different regions in managing PHVD. Further studies are needed to investigate the impact of this variability on long-term outcomes.

Impact of antenatal steroids on intraventricular hemorrhage in very-low-birth weight infants.

ObjectiveTo determine the association between antenatal steroids administration and intraventricular hemorrhage rates.MethodsWe used cross-sectional data from the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative during 2007-2013 for infants ≤ 32 weeks gestational age. Using multivariable logistic regression, we evaluated the effect of antenatal steroids on intraventricular hemorrhage, stratified by gestational age.ResultsIn 25,979 very low birth weight infants, antenatal steroid use was associated with a reduction in incidence of any grade of intraventricular hemorrhage (odds ratio = 0.51, 95% confidence interval: 0.45, 0.58) and a reduction in incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (odds ratio = 0.62, 95% confidence interval: 0.57, 0.67). This association was seen across gestational ages ranging from 22 to 29 weeks.ConclusionsWhile current guidelines recommend coverage for preterm birth at 24 to 34 weeks gestation, our results suggest that treatment with antenatal steroids may be beneficial even before 24 weeks of gestational age.

Effects of gender on incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage in very low and extremely low birth weight infants

Objective To examine the relationship between gender and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) and extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI).Methods From January 1,1999 to December 31,2012,data on VLBWI and ELBWI,who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Yuying Children's Hospital within 14 d after birth,were retrospectively collected.The Chi-square test and t test were used to compare neonatal outcomes between male and female infants.The Logistic model was used to analyze the risk factors for IVH.Results A total of 1 008 cases were enrolled,including 615 males and 393 females,895 VLBWI and 113 ELBWI.The incidence of IVH was 15.1％ (152/1 008) and the incidence of severe IVH was 8.4％ (85/1 008).Compared with females,males had a higher total incidence of IVH [17.2％ (106/615) vs 11.7％ (46/393),x2=5.728,P＜0.05] and severe IVH [9.8％ (60/615) vs 6.4％ (25/393),x2=3.896,P＜0.05].These differences were also seen in VLBWI with a birth weight of 1 250 to 1 499 g [IVH:13.7％ (47/344) vs 7.8％ (17/217),x2=4.473,P=0.034; severe IVH:7.6％ (26/344) vs 2.8％ (6/217),x2=5.684,P=0.017].Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors for IVH were as follows:gestational age ＜28 weeks (aOR=2.012,95％CI:1.288-3.143,P＜0.05),neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (aOR=l.584,95％CI:1.007-2.492,P＜0.05),invasive mechanical ventilation (aOR=2.743,95％CI:1.826-4.121,P＜0.05),electrolyte disturbance (aOR=2.128,95％CI:1.092-4.149,P＜0.05) and periventricular leukomalacia (aOR=2.901,95％CI:1.312-6.416,P＜0.05),but not male sex (aOR=1.351,95％CI:0.917-1.991,P=0.128).The risk factors for severe IVH were gestational age ＜28 weeks (aOR=2.200,95％CI:1.305-3.708,P＜0.05),invasive mechanical ventilation (aOR=4.714,95％CI:2.809-7.911,P＜0.05) and electrolyte disturbance (aOR=2.232,95％CI:1.047 4.759,P＜0.05),but not male sex (aOR=1.361,95％CI:0.823 2.252,P=0.247).Conclusions Male VLBWI and ELBWI have a higher incidence of IVH and severe IVH,but male sex is not a risk factor for IVH or severe IVH. Key words: Cerebral hemorrhage; Cerebral ventricles; Infant, very low birth weight; Infant, extremely low birth weight; Sex factors

Antenatal steroid exposure and outcomes of very premature infants: a regional cohort study

ObjectiveTo compare mortality, short-term morbidity and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of <29 week premature infants with antenatal steroid exposure (none, incomplete and complete).Patients and methodsMulticentre retrospective cohort study, within a geographically...

Long Duration of Hyperglycemia in the First 96 Hours of Life Is Associated with Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Preterm Infants

To assess the association between severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and blood glucose variables during the first 96 hours of life in preterm infants. Preterm infants with IVH grade 3-4 (n = 70) were compared with matched infants of similar gestational age and birth weight, but with no IVH (n = 108). Studied variables included the frequency and duration of hyper/hypoglycemic (>6.9/<3.3 mmol/L, respectively) events, the extreme slope of an event evolution, the maximal glucose value observed, and the "hyper/hypoglycemic index" representing a weighted average of the hyper/hypoglycemic amplitude. The IVH group had significantly more hyperglycemic events (2.9 ± 1.7 vs 2.4 ± 1.8 events, P < .05) with longer duration (22.2 ± 14.2 vs 14.1 ± 12.5 hours, P < .001) and a higher hyperglycemic index (1.0 ± 0.9 vs 1.4 ± 1.0, P = .003) compared with the non-IVH controls. Respiratory distress syndrome, hypotension, and thrombocytopenia increased the adjusted OR for IVH. Hypoglycemia was not independently associated with IVH. Conversely, the increase in hyperglycemic duration was most prominently increasing the aOR for severe IVH (OR = 10.33, 95% CI = 10.0-10.6, P = .033). Longer duration of hyperglycemia in the first 96 hours of life was most strongly associated with severe IVH in preterm infants. Consequently, interventional studies to determine the selective effect of continuous control of long-lasting hyperglycemia by appropriate and timed insulin treatment on the incidence of severe IVH are warranted.

Thrombocytopaenia and intraventricular haemorrhage in very premature infants: a tale of two cities

ObjectiveTo study whether the incidence of intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) in very premature infants (<32 weeks gestation) with thrombocytopaenia is lower when using a liberal platelet-transfusion guideline compared with a restrictive...

Prophylactic intravenous indomethacin for preventing mortality and morbidity in preterm infants

Persistent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is associated with mortality and morbidity in preterm infants. Prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors such as indomethacin promote PDA closure but also have potential side effects. The effect of the prophylactic use of indomethacin, where infants who may not have gone on to develop a symptomatic PDA would be exposed to indomethacin, warrants particular scrutiny. To determine the effect of prophylactic indomethacin on mortality and morbidity in preterm infants. The standard search strategy of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group was used. This included searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library, Issue 5, 2010), MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL (until April 2010), conference proceedings, and previous reviews. Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials that compared prophylactic indomethacin versus placebo or no drug in preterm infants. The standard methods of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group were used, with separate evaluation of trial quality and data extraction by two review authors. Nineteen eligible trials in which 2872 infants participated were identified. Most participants were very low birth weight, but the largest single trial restricted participation to extremely low birth weight infants (N = 1202). The trials were generally of good quality.The incidence of symptomatic PDA [typical relative risk (RR) 0.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38 to 0.50] and PDA surgical ligation (typical RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.37,0.71) was significantly lower in treated infants. Prophylactic indomethacin also significantly reduced the incidence of severe intraventricular haemorrhage (typical RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.82). Meta-analyses found no evidence of an effect on mortality (typical RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.12) or on a composite of death or severe neurodevelopmental disability assessed at 18 to 36 months old (typical RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.90, 1.15). Prophylactic indomethacin has short-term benefits for preterm infants including a reduction in the incidence of symptomatic PDA, PDA surgical ligation, and severe intraventricular haemorrhage. However, there is no evidence of effect on mortality or neurodevelopment.

Clinical characterization and long-term prognosis of neurological development in preterm infants with late-onset circulatory collapse

Objective:To characterize the risk factors for late-onset circulatory collapse (LCC) in preterm infants responsive to corticosteroid therapy and evaluate the long-term neurological prognosis.Study Design:A retrospective case–control study for preterm infants (⩽32 weeks' gestation) admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit from 1994 through 2002.Result:Sixty-five infants (11%) were diagnosed with LCC. Infants with a shorter gestation and lower birth weight had a higher incidence of LCC. LCC infants had a significantly lower 1-min Apgar score, significantly higher incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage, chronic lung disease, and postnatal periventricular leukomalacia, and significantly longer duration of ventilation use, oxygen use, and hospital stay. Somatic growth at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age was poorer in infants with LCC than without LCC (controls). LCC infants were significantly more likely than controls to have cerebral palsy at 3 years.Conclusion:LCC is associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. Prevention of LCC can lead to improved neurological prognoses.

Early cortisol values and long-term outcomes in extremely low birth weight infants

Both excess and insufficient levels of glucocorticoid in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants have been associated with adverse hospital outcomes, whereas excess glucocorticoid exposure has been associated with long-term adverse neurodevelopment. Our objective was to evaluate the relationship between neonatal cortisol concentrations and long-term outcomes of growth and neurodevelopment. As part of a multicenter randomized trial of hydrocortisone treatment for prophylaxis of relative adrenal insufficiency, cortisol concentrations were obtained at 12 to 48 h of postnatal age and at days 5 to 7 on 350 intubated ELBW infants, of whom 252 survived and returned for neurodevelopmental follow-up at 18 to 22 months corrected age. Cortisol values from each time point were divided into quartiles. Growth and neurodevelopmental outcome were compared for each quartile. Median cortisol value was 16.0 microg per 100 ml at baseline for all infants, and 13.1 microg per 100 ml on days 5 to 7 in the placebo group. Outcomes did not differ in each quartile between treatment and placebo groups. Low cortisol values at baseline or at days 5 to 7 were not associated with impaired growth or neurodevelopment at 18 to 22 months corrected age. High cortisol values were associated with an increase in cerebral palsy, related to the increased incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and periventricular leukomalacia. Low cortisol concentrations were not predictive of adverse long-term outcomes. High cortisol concentrations, although predictive of short-term adverse outcomes such as IVH and periventricular leukomalacia, did not additionally predict adverse outcome. Further analysis into identifying factors that modulate cortisol concentrations shortly after birth could improve our ability to identify those infants who are most likely to benefit from treatment with hydrocortisone.

Benchmarking care for very low birthweight infants in Ireland and Northern Ireland

Background:Benchmarking is that process through which best practice is identified and continuous quality improvement pursued through comparison and sharing. The Vermont Oxford Neonatal Network (VON) is the largest international external...

Bruising at Birth: Antenatal Associations and Neonatal Outcome of Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants

Background:Early studies have identified severe cranial bruising as a risk factor for intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in premature infants but the nature of this association has not been evaluated. Objective: To identify antenatal predictors and associations with neonatal outcome of bruised extremely low birth weight infants. Methods:A cohort study comparing 34 bruised and 116 non-bruised infants (birth weight ≤1,000 g), delivered in two ‘Hadassah’ university hospitals in Jerusalem between 2000 and 2004. Bruised patients were divided according to the severity of bruising. A univariate model was first applied to examine the associations of the individual independent variables with the outcome variable, followed with a logistic stepwise regression model, performed for each of the outcome variables. Results: In a stepwise logistic regression on ‘Any bruising’ and ‘Severe bruising’, only increasing gestational age and exposure to antenatal steroids prior to delivery maintained a protective association with bruising (OR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.58–0.94; p = 0.015, OR = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.16–0.90; p = 0.028, respectively, for ‘Any bruising’, and OR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.59–1.01; p = 0.055, OR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.12–0.73; p = 0.008, respectively, for ‘Severe bruising’). In a stepwise logistic regression analysis, with ‘Any bruising’ and ‘Severe bruising’ as forced-in variables and controlling for gestational age, small for gestational age, Apgar scores, respiratory distress syndrome and pneumothorax, ‘Severe bruising’, but not ‘Any bruising’, was found to be associated significantly with severe IVH (OR = 5.60; 95% CI: 1.86–16.82; p = 0.002), whereas both ‘Any bruising’ and ‘Severe bruising’ were significantly associated with mortality (OR = 6.31; 95% CI: 2.37–16.83; p = 0.000, OR = 3.33; 95% CI: 1.16–9.52; p = 0.025 respectively). Conclusion: Antenatal exposure to steroids and increasing gestational age are associated with a lower incidence of bruising at birth in extremely low birth weight infants. Severe bruising at birth is associated with increased incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage and mortality.

Neuromotor Outcome at 2 Years of Very Preterm Infants Who Were Treated With High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation or Conventional Ventilation for Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome

In a previous multicenter, randomized trial, elective use of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation was compared with the use of conventional ventilation in the management of respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants <30 weeks. No difference in terms of respiratory outcome was observed, but concerns were raised about an increased rate of severe intraventricular hemorrhage in the high-frequency ventilation group. To evaluate outcome, a follow-up study was conducted until a corrected age of 2 years. We report the results concerning neuromotor outcome. Outcome was able to be evaluated in 192 of the 212 infants who survived until discharge from the neonatal unit: 97 of 105 infants of the high-frequency group and 95 of 104 infants of the conventional ventilation group. In the infants reviewed, mean birth weight and gestational age were similar in the 2 ventilation groups. As in the overall study population, the following differences were observed between the high-frequency ventilation group and the conventional ventilation group: lower 5-minute Apgar score, fewer surfactant instillations, and a higher incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage. At a corrected age of 2 years, 93 of the 97 infants of the high-frequency group and 79 of the 95 infants of the conventional ventilation group did not present any neuromotor disability, whereas 4 infants of the high-frequency group and 16 infants of the conventional ventilation group had cerebral palsy. Contrary to our initial concern about the increased rate of severe intraventricular hemorrhage in the high-frequency ventilation group, these data suggest that early use of high-frequency ventilation, compared with conventional ventilation, may be associated with a better neuromotor outcome. Because of the small number of patients studied and the absence of any explanation for this finding, we can conclude only that high-frequency oscillatory ventilation is not associated with a poorer neuromotor outcome.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Characteristics Affect the Incidence of Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Characteristics Affect the Incidence of Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Characteristics Affect the Incidence of Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage

The incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), adjusted for known risk factors, varies across neonatal intensive care units (NICU)s. The effect of NICU characteristics on this variation is unknown. The objective was to assess IVH attributable risks at both patient and NICU levels. Subjects were <33 weeks' gestation, <4 days old on admission in the Canadian Neonatal Network database (all infants admitted in 1996-97 to 17 NICUs). The variation in severe IVH rates was analyzed using Bayesian hierarchical modeling for patient level and NICU level factors. Of 3772 eligible subjects, the overall crude incidence rates of grade 3-4 IVH was 8.3% (NICU range 2.0-20.5%). Male gender, extreme preterm birth, low Apgar score, vaginal birth, outborn birth, and high admission severity of illness accounted for 30% of the severe IVH rate variation; admission day therapy-related variables (treatment of acidosis and hypotension) accounted for an additional 14%. NICU characteristics, independent of patient level risk factors, accounted for 31% of the variation. NICUs with high patient volume and high neonatologist/staff ratio had lower rates of severe IVH. The incidence of severe IVH is affected by NICU characteristics, suggesting important new strategies to reduce this important adverse outcome.

106 Association of Two Tumor Necrosis Factor Polymorphisms with The Incidence of Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Preterm Infants

Background: A systemic perinatal inflammatory response is known to be a risk factor of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in preterm infants. Molecular markers predicting susceptibility to cerebral morbidity in premature infants are missing. Genetic polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -gene are known to modify TNF expression.

Hypocarbia in the ventilated preterm infant and its effect on intraventricular haemorrhage and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

To examine the relationship between PaCO2 levels in ventilated very preterm infants and (i) the incidence of severe intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) and periventricular leukomalacia (PVL); and (ii) bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). A retrospective cohort analysis of preterm infants comparing PaCO2 levels with the incidence of severe IVH/PVL and BPD was carried out on patients born at less than 29 weeks gestation from 1992 to 1994 and admitted to the tertiary neonatal intensive care unit at the King Edward Memorial Hospital (314 infants). During the first 96 h, PaCO2 levels were examined including lowest and highest PaCO2 levels, mean PaCO2 levels and duration of hypocarbia both pre- and post-surfactant administration. Of the 314 infants, there were 40 early neonatal deaths (less than 48 h) who were not included in the analysis. Of the 274 surviving infants, 72 (26%) infants had severe IVH. Infants whose PaCO2 fell below 30 mmHg at any stage in the first 48 h of life had an increased risk of severe IVH or PVL (odds ratio 2.38; 95% CI 1.27-4.49; P = 0.007). Of the 265 survivors to 36 weeks corrected gestational age, 134 (51%) had BPD. Infants with at least three PaCO2 values less than 30 mmHg in the first 24 h of life had an increased risk of BPD (odds ratio 2.21; 95% CI 1.05-4.57; P = 0.036). The risk of severe IVH/PVL was significantly increased by hypocarbia. There was also an association between hypocarbia and BPD, particularly when hypocarbia was prolonged. These findings suggest that avoidance of hypocarbia may reduce the incidence of severe IVH/PVL and BPD in preterm infants.

Glucose-insulin infusion for the early treatment of non-oliguric hyperkalemia in extremely-low-birth-weight infants.

In order to investigate the status of non-oliguric hyperkalemia and to evaluate glucose-insulin infusion treatment among extremely-low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants, 161 infants weighting less than 1000 gm at birth were enrolled for this study. They were divided into two groups: a hyperkalemic group and a non-hyperkalemic group. Hyperkalemia was defined here as a serum potassium level of greater than 6 mEq/L in a non-hemolyzed arterial blood sample. A glucose-insulin infusion was administered to the patients when hyperkalemia was detected in them during the first few days after birth. The infusion was discontinued when the serum potassium levels had been less than 6 mEq/L and stabilized for 6 hours. The incidence of non-oliguric hyperkalemia among ELBW infants in this study was 58% (93/161). The mean gestational age of neonates was 25.7 +/- 1.8 weeks (hyperkalemic) and 26.6 +/- 1.7 weeks (non-hyperkalemic). The mean rate of increases in serum potassium levels was 0.32 +/- 0.29 mEq/L/hr (hyperkalemic) and 0.13 +/- 0.12 mEq/L/hr (non-hyperkalemic). The incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) was 19% (18/93) (hyperkalemic) and 4.4% (3/68) (non-hyperkalemic). The incidence of cardiac arrhythmia was 12% (11/93) (hyperkalemic) and 0% (non-hyperkalemic) respectively. Neonates with fewer weeks of gestation at birth and faster increases in serum potassium levels were associated with a more prominent tendency toward hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia markedly increases the risk of severe IVH and arrhythmia for ELBW infants. A higher glucose infusion rate should be maintained to prevent hypoglycemia following insulin treatment.

Prospective Randomized Multicenter Comparison of High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation and Conventional Ventilation in Preterm Infants of Less Than 30 Weeks With Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Early use of high-frequency ventilation and exogenous surfactant is proposed as the optimal mode of ventilatory support in infants with respiratory distress syndrome. In very premature infants, we tested the hypothesis that high-frequency versus conventional ventilation could decrease exogenous surfactant requirements and improve pulmonary outcome, without altering the complication rate, including that of severe intraventricular hemorrhage. Preterm infants with a postmenstrual age of 24 to 29 weeks, presenting with respiratory distress syndrome were randomly assigned to high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (lung volume recruitment strategy) or conventional ventilation. Two hundred seventy-three infants were enrolled. One hundred fifty-three had a postmenstrual age of 24 to 27 weeks, and 143 had a birth weight </=1000 g. One hundred thirty-four infants were randomized at 142 minutes of life (median) to receive conventional ventilation (mean postmenstrual age at birth: 27. 6 +/- 1.5 weeks; mean birth weight: 997 +/- 245 g); and 139 infants were randomized at 145 minutes of life to receive high-frequency ventilation (mean postmenstrual age at birth: 27.5 +/- 1.4 weeks; mean birth weight: 976 +/- 219 g). High-frequency ventilation, compared with conventional ventilation, was associated with a twofold reduction in the requirement for >/=2 instillations of exogenous surfactant (30% vs 62%; odds ratio:.27; 95% confidence interval:.16-.44) and no difference in pulmonary outcome. The incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage was 24% in the high-frequency group and 14% in the conventional ventilation group (adjusted odds ratio: 1.50; 95% confidence interval:.68-3.30). Early use of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in very premature infants decreases exogenous surfactant requirements, does not improve the pulmonary outcome, and may be associated with an increased incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage.