Long term neurodevelopmental outcome of preterm infants with periventricularintraventricular hemorrhage

Objectives: To determine the neurodevelopmental morbidityof preterm infants with periventricular- intraventricularhemorrhage, at the age of 4.Materials and methods: The patients at the age of 4were evaluated through neurologic examination and motorassessment by a pediatric neurologist and Denver IIDevelopmental Screening Test by a psychologist. Theresults were compared with Denver II DevelopmentalScreening Test results which had been made at 3-6 and6-12 months.Results: Patients with grade - V Periventricular-IntraventricularHemorrhage had significantly lower DenverII Developmental Screening Test results at the age of 4,compared with grade - Periventricular-IntraventricularHemorrhage group. Similarly, ≤ 32 weeks patients hadsignificantly lower Denver II Developmental ScreeningTest at the age of 4 when compared with > 32 weeks patients.Conclusions: Children who were born ≤ 32 gestationalweeks and/or patients with grade - V periventricularintraventricularHemorrhage have an increased risk ofneurologic impairment. All premature infants should beevaluated by Denver II Developmental Screening Test inearly childhood period of life. J Clin Exp Invest 2012; 3(3):326-330Key words: Prematurity, periventricular hemorrhage, intraventricularhemorrhage