DYSPHAGIA AND GROWTH FAILURE IN PRETERM INFANTS WITH CYSTIC PERIVENTRICULAR LEUKOMALACIA (CPVL). † 1646

Preterm infants with CPVL are at high risk for growth failure. In our experience, a high rate of dysphagia and wasting suggest that undernutrition is an important cause for the growth failure. We analyzed the demographics, growth patterns, and health outcomes of preterm infants admitted to our NICU from 1988-1993 with CPVL (n=51) diagnosed by a single neurosonologist. Standardized measurements (mean=6.4) of weight, height, and head circumference were obtained on 41/46 (89%) survivors between term age equivalent and 59 months. Growth outcomes were analyzed using WHO international reference curves and standardized as the multiple of standard deviations from the mean (z score). Infants with initial weight age z scores (T₁WAZ) ≥ -2 and subsequent WAZ< -2, or T₁WAZ < -2 and subsequent WAZ ≤([Illegible Text] - 1) were defined as having growth failure. Waterlow classification (% of the median wt/ht) was used to define undernutrition (mild= 80-90, moderate = 70-79). A total of 39/41 (95%) infants were diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Table

Table 1

Infants with growth failure had mild (59%) or moderate (12%) undernutrition at follow up. Infants with CPVL are at high risk for growth failure. Growth failure is characterized by high rates of dysphagia and undernutrition.(Supported by the Children's Guild of Buffalo)