Abstract
To assess the effect of birth asphyxia on the development of IVH, arterial blood was obtained from a clamped segment of umbilical cord at birth from 60 premature infants of 26-36 weeks ges-tational age (GA) and analyzed for [H+], pCO2, standard bicarbonate (SB), and blood lactic acid (BL). IVH was diagnosed in 16 infants by sudden clinical deterioration, hemorrhagic CSF and typical neurologic signs. 15 of these died and autopsies were obtained on 10 which confirmed the diagnosis of IVH. Infants with IVH were less mature (IVH 29.3 weeks ± 0.4SE, no IVH 32.4 weeks ± 0.3SE, p<0.001), had lower one minute Appar scores (IVH 2.1, no IVH 5.2, p<0.001), and had a higher incidence of HMD (IVH 12/16, no IVH 10/44, p<0.001). No differences were seen in any acid-base parameter except for SB which is related to the positive correlation between SB and GA (r = 0.35, p<0.025).
We conclude that birth asphyxia does not occur more frequently in premature infants who subsequently develop IVH and that the decreased Apgar score in infants with IVH is related to their immaturity and higher incidence of HMD.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kenny, J., Carcia-Prats, J., Hilliard, J. et al. THE EFFECT OF BIRTH ASPHYXIA ON THE ETIOLOGY DF IN- TRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHARE (IVH). Pediatr Res 11, 563 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-01160
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-01160