Factors influencing mortality and morbidity after clinically apparent intraventricular haemorrhage

Twenty newborn infants with clinically apparent intraventricular haemorrhage were studied in order to determine the factors associated with mortality and morbidity. Ten survived, 4 without handicap and 2 with only moderate handicap. Maturity and not size of haemorrhage appeared to be the main factor affecting mortality and morbidity at 1 year. Coma longer than 24 hours after intraventricular haemorrhage distinguished survivors with handicap from those without and may be a useful prognostic sign.