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Updated: May 10, 2026
Mouse Models of Periventricular Leukomalacia
Published on: May 18, 2010
Neurodevelopmental outcomes of children with periventricular leukomalacia
Takashi Imamura1, Hiromichi Ariga, Mariko Kaneko
1Department of Pediatrics, Takeda General Hospital, Aidu Wakamatsu City, Fukushima, Japan.
Insights
Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) in children often leads to severe neurodevelopmental delays, particularly with higher grades. However, some children with grade 1 PVL show normal development, warranting further study.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is a common neonatal brain injury.
- Understanding the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes is crucial for affected children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neurodevelopmental outcomes in children diagnosed with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 25 children with PVL (grades 1-3) identified via MRI.
- Follow-up from 15 months to 10 years of age.
Main Results:
- 36% had spastic diplegia, 48% had quadriplegia.
- 40% walked independently by 36 months; 52% did not.
- Grade 2/3 PVL correlated with severe motor abnormalities, psychomotor delay, and seizures.
- 56% of grade 1 PVL cases showed normal psychomotor development.
Conclusions:
- Higher grade PVL (2-3) is associated with severe neurodevelopmental delays.
- Normal psychomotor development observed in 56% of grade 1 PVL cases requires attention.
- Larger studies with long-term follow-up are needed to fully understand PVL outcomes.
Objectives:
To examine the neurodevelopmental outcomes of children with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL).
Materials And Methods:
Twenty-five children diagnosed with grade 1, 2 or 3 PVL on the basis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings between January 2002 and December 2011 were enrolled and followed from 15 months to 10 years of age.
Results:
Of the 25 children, one was a term and 24 were preterm-births. Nine (36%) had spastic diplegia and 12 (48%) had quadriplegia. Ten of the 25 (40%) were able to walk independently at 36 months utilizing short leg braces, whereas 13 children (52%) were unable to walk independently. MRI findings revealed grade 1 PVL in nine (36%), grade 2 in 12 (48%), and grade 3 in four (16%) of the 25 children. Eleven of the 16 children (69%) with grade 2 or 3 PVL had Papile III or IV intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and many of these children had severe neurologic motor abnormalities, severe psychomotor delay, and seizures. Five of the nine children (56%) with grade 1 PVL had normal psychomotor development. There were statistically significant differences in the motor impairment and walking ability between the children with grade 1 and those with grade 2 PVL (p = 0.008 and 0.005, respectively).
Conclusion:
Most children with grade 2 or 3 PVL had severe neurodevelopmental delays, but attention should also be paid to the 56% of children with grade 1 PVL who presented with normal psychomotor development. Further studies of larger populations, including long-term follow-up, are necessary to evaluate the outcomes of children with PVL.
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