Intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants, evaluation of risk factors and short-term complications

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a major cause of brain injury in preterm infants. Considering the high prevalence of IVH in preterm infants and the importance of determining the risk factors, this study was done to evaluate the prevalence of various grades of IVH and identify the different associated factors and short-term complications.

In this retrospective study, the medical records of 54 preterm infants (26-37 weeks gestational age) admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Bahrami Hospital, Tehran, Iran (2015-2018) were examined. Cranial ultrasonography was performed in all patients, and IVH was classified into 4 grades. A checklist was prepared and filled them out, and then the data were analyzed using SPSS-21.

Out of all subjects, IVH was found in 11 infants (20.4%). The most frequent IVH grades were 1 and 2. The most common Apgar scores in the fifth minute was 6. The mean weight of infants and Apgar score in patients with IVH was significantly lower than that of those without IVH. In multivariate logistic regression analysis of factors affecting IVH, Apgar score was the only significant independent predictor of IVH, such that with each number increase in Apgar score, the risk of IVH decreased (up to 100%).

Based on the results of this study, birth weight, gestational age and fifth-minute Apgar score were associated with IVH. Prevention of preterm birth and other preventive measures can reduce the complications of this disease.