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Updated: Sep 4, 2025
Modeling Neonatal Intraventricular Hemorrhage Through Intraventricular Injection of Hemoglobin
Published on: August 25, 2022
Long-term neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants with intraventricular haemorrhage
Nele Legge1,2, Tracey Lutz2,3, Crista Wocadlo3
1Neonatal Intensive Care unit, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Background:
Intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) is one of the key risks for long-term neurodevelopmental issues. There remains controversy over the impact low-grade IVH has on the long-term outcome of premature infants. This study describes the long-term neurodevelopmental impact of Grade I and II IVH in former preterm infants in the early school years.
Methods:
This is a retrospective cohort analysis from one tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Australia including all infants born at <30 weeks' gestation and admitted to the NICU between 2006 and 2013 with complete ultrasound reports and follow-up results. Results of standardised tests for neurodevelopmental outcomes at 5 and 8 years were compared between infants who suffered mild IVH and infants who had normal head ultrasounds.
Results:
During the study period, 491 infants <30 weeks gestation were admitted; 275 patients had full follow-up data available. We found no significant difference in examined outcomes at 5- and 8-year follow-up.
Conclusion:
Mild IVH does not affect cognitive, motor and academic outcomes at school age.
