This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.
Abstract
Objective To compare neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants with and without intervention for posthemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PHVD) managed with an “early approach” (EA), based on ventricular measurements exceeding normal (ventricular index [VI] <+2 SD/anterior horn width <6 mm) with initial temporizing procedures, followed, if needed, by permanent shunt placement, and a “late approach” (LA), based on signs of increased intracranial pressure with mostly immediate permanent intervention.
Methods Observational cohort study of 127 preterm infants (gestation <30 weeks) with PHVD managed with EA (n = 78) or LA (n = 49). Ventricular size was measured on cranial ultrasound. Outcome was assessed at 18–24 months.
Results Forty-nine of 78 (63%) EA and 24 of 49 (49%) LA infants received intervention. LA infants were slightly younger at birth, but did not differ from EA infants for other clinical measures. Initial intervention in the EA group occurred at younger age (29.4/33.1 week postmenstrual age; p < 0.001) with smaller ventricles (VI 2.4/14 mm >+2 SD; p < 0.01), and consisted predominantly of lumbar punctures or reservoir taps. Maximum VI in infants with/without intervention was similar in EA (3/1.5 mm >+2 SD; p = 0.3) but differed in the LA group (14/2.1 mm >+2 SD; p < 0.001). Shunt rate (20/92%; p < 0.001) and complications were lower in EA than LA group. Most EA infants had normal outcomes (>−1 SD), despite intervention. LA infants with intervention had poorer outcomes than those without (p < 0.003), with scores <−2 SD in 81%.
Conclusion In preterm infants with PHVD, those with early intervention, even when eventually requiring a shunt, had outcomes indistinguishable from those without intervention, all being within the normal range. In contrast, in infants managed with LA, need for intervention predicted worse outcomes. Benefits of EA appear to outweigh potential risks.
Classification of evidence This study provides Class III evidence that for preterm infants with PHVD, an EA to management results in better neurodevelopmental outcomes than a LA.
Glossary
- AHW=
- anterior horn width;
- BSID-III=
- Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Third Edition);
- CP=
- cerebral palsy;
- cUS=
- cranial ultrasound;
- EA=
- early approach;
- GMDS=
- Griffiths Mental Development Scales;
- ICP=
- intracranial pressure;
- IVH=
- intraventricular hemorrhage;
- LA=
- late approach;
- LP=
- lumbar puncture;
- PHVD=
- posthemorrhagic ventricular dilatation;
- RCT=
- randomized controlled trial;
- VI=
- ventricular index;
- VP=
- ventriculoperitoneal;
- WM=
- white matter
Footnotes
Go to Neurology.org/N for full disclosures. Funding information and disclosures deemed relevant by the authors, if any, are provided at the end of the article.
↵* These authors contributed equally to this work.
Editorial, page 351
Class of Evidence: NPub.org/coe
- Received March 20, 2017.
- Accepted in final form November 6, 2017.
- © 2018 American Academy of Neurology
AAN Members
We have changed the login procedure to improve access between AAN.com and the Neurology journals. If you are experiencing issues, please log out of AAN.com and clear history and cookies. (For instructions by browser, please click the instruction pages below). After clearing, choose preferred Journal and select login for AAN Members. You will be redirected to a login page where you can log in with your AAN ID number and password. When you are returned to the Journal, your name should appear at the top right of the page.
AAN Non-Member Subscribers
Purchase access
Letters: Rapid online correspondence
- Author response: Posthemorrhagic ventricular dilatation in preterm infants: When best to intervene?
- Posthemorrhagic ventricular dilatation in preterm infants: When best to intervene
REQUIREMENTS
You must ensure that your Disclosures have been updated within the previous six months. Please go to our Submission Site to add or update your Disclosure information.
Your co-authors must send a completed Publishing Agreement Form to Neurology Staff (not necessary for the lead/corresponding author as the form below will suffice) before you upload your comment.
If you are responding to a comment that was written about an article you originally authored:
You (and co-authors) do not need to fill out forms or check disclosures as author forms are still valid
and apply to letter.
Submission specifications:
- Submissions must be < 200 words with < 5 references. Reference 1 must be the article on which you are commenting.
- Submissions should not have more than 5 authors. (Exception: original author replies can include all original authors of the article)
- Submit only on articles published within 6 months of issue date.
- Do not be redundant. Read any comments already posted on the article prior to submission.
- Submitted comments are subject to editing and editor review prior to posting.
