The use of clinical examination and cranial ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilation in extremely premature infants.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to describe clinical and ultrasound changes in a cohort of premature newborns with post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilation (PHVD), and to correlate these changes with outcome.

Study Design: Premature newborns <29 weeks gestational age (GA) and ≤ 1,500 g birth weight with intraventricular hemorrhage were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical signs and cranial ultrasound (CUS) findings between time after birth and time before first cerebrospinal fluid temporizing intervention were compared with GA-equivalent newborns without interventions. White matter injury was assessed on brain magnetic resonance imaging.

Results: Between 2011 and 2014, 64 newborns met inclusion criteria; 23% had PHVD. The growth rates of the ventricles on CUS and the head circumference (HC) were higher in newborns with PHVD (p < 0.01 and p = 0.04, respectively) and correlated inversely with white matter injury (p = 0.006 and p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion: Progression of PHVD in premature newborns as demonstrated by CUS and the HC correlated with outcome. Consistent measurement of these simple parameters will allow for much needed treatment comparisons, to define optimal protocols that decrease the risk of cerebral palsy in extremely preterm populations.