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Updated: Jan 3, 2026
Modeling Neonatal Intraventricular Hemorrhage Through Intraventricular Injection of Hemoglobin
Published on: August 25, 2022
Neonatal Intraventricular Hemorrhage and Hospitalization in Childhood
Amarpreet Kaur1, Thuy Mai Luu2, Prakesh S Shah3
1Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Insights
Neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) increases the risk of childhood hospitalization. Higher grade IVH and IVH in term infants are significant predictors of future health issues.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a serious neonatal complication linked to neurodevelopmental disorders.
- The association of neonatal IVH with other childhood morbidities remains unclear.
- This study investigates the long-term risk of morbidity following neonatal IVH.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the association between neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and the risk of childhood hospitalization up to 12 years of age.
- To identify specific risk factors and grades of IVH associated with increased morbidity.
- To provide insights into the spectrum of childhood morbidities following neonatal IVH.
Main Methods:
- A large cohort study analyzed 794,384 infants born in Quebec, Canada (2006-2016).
- Exposure was defined as grade I to IV intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in the neonatal period.
- Childhood hospitalization by cause was the main outcome measure, analyzed using adjusted Cox regression models.
Main Results:
- Infants with IVH experienced higher childhood hospitalization rates (23.8 per 100 person-years) compared to those without (5.7 per 100 person-years).
- Overall IVH increased hospitalization risk by 1.56 times; grade III/IV IVH elevated risk by 2.81 times.
- Term IVH showed the highest risk (3.19 times), while preterm IVH also significantly increased risk (2.06-1.87 times).
- Hospitalizations were primarily for central nervous system, ophthalmologic, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular disorders.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a significant predictor of future childhood hospitalization.
- Higher grades of IVH and IVH occurring in term neonates are associated with a substantially increased risk.
- These findings highlight the importance of monitoring and managing children with a history of neonatal IVH for long-term health outcomes.
Background:
Intraventricular hemorrhage is a serious neonatal complication associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, but the relationship with other childhood morbidities is unclear. We sought to assess the association of neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage with the risk of morbidity up to 12 years of age.
Methods:
We analyzed a cohort of 794,384 infants born between 2006 and 2016 in Quebec, Canada, with 4,269,579 person-years of follow-up. The exposure was grade I to IV intraventricular hemorrhage in the neonatal period. The main outcome measure was childhood hospitalization by cause of admission. In adjusted Cox regression models, we estimated hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the association of intraventricular hemorrhage with future childhood hospitalization.
Results:
Infants with intraventricular hemorrhage had a higher incidence of childhood hospitalization than infants without hemorrhage (23.8 vs. 5.7 per 100 person-years). Compared with those with no hemorrhage, infants with intraventricular hemorrhage had 1.56 times the risk of hospitalization (95% confidence interval, 1.43-1.70). The risk was 2.81 times higher for grade III/IV hemorrhage (95% confidence interval, 2.23-3.53). Intraventricular hemorrhage at term was associated with 3.19 times the risk of hospitalization (95% confidence interval, 2.55-4.00), whereas preterm intraventricular hemorrhage was associated with 2.06 times the risk before 28 weeks (95% confidence interval, 1.75-2.42) and 1.87 times the risk between 28 and 36 weeks (95% confidence interval, 1.68-2.08), compared with no hemorrhage at term. Primary reasons for hospitalizations included central nervous system, ophthalmologic, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular disorders.
Conclusions:
Intraventricular hemorrhage, especially of higher grades and in term neonates, is a predictor of future risk of hospitalization in childhood.
