Abstract
Interpretation and significance of PVF seen with ultrasound (US) in the brains of newborn infants remain controversial. To find out if PVF predict adverse neurodevelopment, follow up data for PVF without periventricular haemorrhage were analysed from a prospectively scanned cohort (n=725) of very preterm (<33 w) survivors born 1983-89. PVF were defined as non-haemorrhagic echodensities in the periventricular region. Probabilities (p%, 95% CI) were calculated for disabling impairments and for total impairments, with and without disability, identified by neurological and developmental assessments at 1 year of corrected age. Values are given for normal US scans (n=355), PVF without later cyst formation (n=50), PVF with cystic periventricular leucomalacia <n=7, all parieto-occipital) (PVF+PVL) and PVL cysts not preceded by PVF (n=7; 5 frontal, 1 parietal, 1 parieto-occipital), of which 6 were noted aged 1-4 days, and thus were antenatal in origin.
We conclude a) only PVF followed by cyst formation caused a significant excess of neurodevelopmental impairments at 1 year b) cysts aquired before birth were predominantly frontal and not associated with neuromotor or sensory impairments.
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Stewart, A., Wyatt, J., Lorek, A. et al. 220 DO PERIVENTRICULAR FLARES (PVF) PREDICT OUTCOME?. Pediatr Res 36, 39 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199407000-00220
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199407000-00220
