Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 20, 2025
Modeling Neonatal Intraventricular Hemorrhage Through Intraventricular Injection of Hemoglobin
Published on: August 25, 2022
Low-Grade Intraventricular Hemorrhage and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at 24-42 Months of Age
Theresa E Scott1, David Aboudi2, Jordan S Kase2
1Department of Pediatrics, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY, USA.
Insights
Infants with low-grade intraventricular hemorrhage show no significant neurodevelopmental differences compared to those without. However, they access early intervention services more frequently, suggesting potential long-term benefits.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neurology
Background:
- High-grade intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is linked to poor neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants.
- Outcomes for infants with low-grade IVH (grades I-II) are less clear.
- Understanding low-grade IVH impact is crucial for preterm infant care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare neurodevelopmental outcomes in very preterm infants with low-grade IVH versus those without IVH.
- To assess the long-term effects of low-grade IVH on infant development.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of very preterm infants (≤32 weeks' gestation).
- Neurodevelopmental outcomes assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 3rd edition, at 24–42 months corrected age.
- Linear regression analysis controlled for confounding variables.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in neurodevelopmental outcome scores between infants with low-grade IVH and those without, after controlling for confounders.
- Infants with low-grade IVH had higher rates of early intervention services enrollment (64% vs. 49%, P = .023).
Conclusions:
- Low-grade intraventricular hemorrhage may not significantly increase the risk of neurodevelopmental impairment in the first three years of life.
- Preterm infants with low-grade IVH may benefit from or require early intervention services.
- The overall impact of prematurity-related conditions may outweigh that of isolated low-grade IVH on neurodevelopment.
Abstract:
Infants with high-grade (III-IV) intraventricular hemorrhage have been reported to have worse neurodevelopmental outcomes than those without, but outcomes of infants with low-grade (I-II) intraventricular hemorrhage are mixed. We sought to compare neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants with low-grade intraventricular hemorrhage to those with no intraventricular hemorrhage. This is a retrospective cohort study of very preterm (≤32 weeks' gestation) infants evaluated between 24 and 42 months chronologic age using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 3rd edition, to determine neurodevelopmental outcomes. Linear regression was used to control for potential confounders. There was no difference in outcome scores between groups when controlling for confounding variables. Infants with low-grade intraventricular hemorrhage, however, had higher rates of enrollment in early intervention services (64% vs 49%, P = .023). Low-grade intraventricular hemorrhage itself may not significantly increase the risk of neurodevelopmental impairment through the first 3 years of life considering other conditions of prematurity.
