Perinatal risk factors for cranial ultrasound abnormalities in neonates born after spontaneous labour before 34 weeks

The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for cranial ultrasound abnormalities in neonates born after spontaneous preterm labour with or without prolonged premature rupture of the membranes (PROM).

The presence of intraventricular haemorrhage and cystic periventricular leucomalacia was investigated in a cohort of neonates born between 24 and 34 weeks using cranial ultrasound. A stepwise forward logistic regression was performed to analyse the influence of antenatal and postnatal variables on cranial ultrasound abnormalities.

The study group consisted of 205 neonates and cranial ultrasound abnormalities were identified in 27 infants. Early onset neonatal infectious disease (OR 3.09, 95% CI 1.24--7.70, P=0.01) increased the risk for cranial ultrasound abnormalities. Gestational age at birth (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93--0.99, P=0.03) and a full course of antenatal steroids (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.13--0.85, P=0.02) reduced the risk for cranial ultrasound abnormalities.

Early onset neonatal infectious disease is an independent risk factor for cranial ultrasound abnormalities in the very preterm neonate born after spontaneous labour with or without PROM.