Article

The aim of this study was to analyse the relation between ventricular
dilatation at term and neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years corrected age in
infants of very low birthweight (VLBW) or very low gestational age (VLGA).
METHOD: A total of 225 VLBW or VLGA infants
(121 males, 104 female; mean
birthweight 1133 g, SD 333 g; mean gestational age 29 wks, SD 2 wks 5d) born in
Turku University Hospital were included. Ventricular-brain ratio and the widths
of each lateral ventricular horn were determined using ultrasonography, and the
volume of the ventricles was measured by magnetic resonance imaging at term.
The 2-year outcome measures included scores for the Hammersmith Infant Neurological
Examination, the presence of cerebral palsy (CP), the Mental Developmental Index
(MDI) of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (2nd edition), and the presence
of severe hearing or vision impairments or any neurodevelopmental impairment
(NDI). RESULTS: CP was diagnosed in 15 participants (6.7%) and severe hearing
deficit in 12 participants (5.3%). No severe vision impairment was found. Mild
and severe cognitive delay was found in 24 (10.7%) and 8 (3.6%) of the VLBW or
VLGA infants respectively. Isolated ventricular dilatation did not increase the
risk for developmental impairments. However, ventricular dilatation with
additional brain pathology was significantly associated with CP, MDI score below
70, and NDI. A ventricular-brain ratio above 0.35 was a sensitive measure of
developmental impairment. INTERPRETATION: Ventricular dilatation at term
increases the risk of poor developmental outcome only when associated with other
brain pathology.
The ventricular-brain ratio is a useful clinical tool for
determining the prognosis in VLBW and VLGA infants.
CI - (c) The Authors. Journal compilation (c) Mac Keith Press 2010.

Langue : ANGLAIS