[Neurological disorders in preterm children with neuropathy].

Area of Science:

• Neonatology
• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Neurology

Background:

• Premature infants are at high risk for both retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and central nervous system (CNS) injuries.
• Early detection of CNS lesions is crucial for timely intervention and improved outcomes in preterm neonates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between the incidence and severity of hypoxic CNS lesions in preterm infants with neuropathy.
• To enhance early diagnosis of brain structure lesions using clinical ophthalmologic findings.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 712 premature infants (birth weight <1500g, gestational age <30 weeks) was monitored between 2006-2016.
• Methods included ophthalmological screening for ROP, medical history review, neurological examination, and neurosonography.

Main Results:

• ROP occurred in 51.5% of infants; 15.7% required laser coagulation for severe ROP.
• Intraventricular hemorrhages (IVH) were present in 61% of neonates, with a higher incidence (77.6%) in those with ROP.
• Periventricular leucomalacia (PVL) rates increased with ROP severity, reaching 51.7% in infants with laser-treated ROP.

Conclusions:

• A significant correlation exists between ROP severity and hypoxic CNS lesions in preterm infants.
• Ophthalmologic findings, particularly ROP, can serve as an early indicator for CNS damage.
• This correlation aids in predicting visual and neurosomatic impairments, enabling prompt rehabilitation.