Antecedents and Outcomes of Cerebral Ventricular Enlargement in the Absence of Prior Germinal Matrix-Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Low Birth Weight I

Background and methods: Cerebral ventricular enlargement in low birth weight infants predicts poor neurodevelopmental outcome. The etiology or outcomes of ventricular enlargement NE) in absence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) are unclear. In the neonatal brain hemorrhage (NBH) study, timed, cranial ultrasound (US) scans were performed in 1,105 infants with birth weights ≤2 kg. We searched the NBH database to determine the prevalence, etiology and outcomes of infants with VE.

Results: VE was identified in 23 of 1088 (2.1%) infants with US scans. Infants with VE had similar gestational age, birth weight and head circumference as infants with normal scans Mothers of VE infants were more likely to be unemployed and to use drugs. VE and VE+HE were significantly associated with increased risk of overall mortality and of disabling cerebral palsy in survivors.

Conclusion: Maternal social factors may play a role in VE; VE and VE+HE are associated with increased risk of death and disabling cerebral palsy.