Abstract
Intraventricular/periventricular hemorrhage (IV-PVH) continues to be a major problem for preterm infants. Since the advent of ultrasound scanning, detection of IV-PVH has been made with some precision. We have routinely used an ATL sector scanner to detect IV-PVH in infants with gestational age ≤34 weeks since 1979. All scans have been interpreted by a single individual (WCA), providing a high degree of consistency. During the 5 year period Sept 1979-Aug 1984, we studied 637 infants ≤34 weeks gestation who survived for more than 24 hours. A progressive decline in the overall incidence of IV-PVH occurred, despite an increase in the proportion of infants ≤26 weeks gestation. Only 2% (7% of all IV-PVH) had evidence of parenchymal hemorrhage in 1981-84.
The reasons for this decline are uncertain, but seem to include an increase in maternal-fetal transfers and changing attitudes of obstetricians towards extreme prematurity. The decline of IV-PVH without resorting to pharmacologic agents emphasizes the importance of controlled trials in evaluating intervention.
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Philip, A., Sawyer, L. & Allan, W. 1482 DECREASE OF PERIVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE WITHOUT PLANNED INTERVENTION. Pediatr Res 19, 357 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-01506
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-01506