Ocular significance of intraventricular haemorrhage in premature infants.

Abstract

To document ocular outcome in premature infants with intraventricular haemorrhages (IVH). 68 preterm infants with IVH were examined. Mean gestational age was 28.1 weeks (range 24-35). Mean birth weight was 1045.9 g (630-2240). Mean follow up was 54.6 months (6-150). IVH is graded from 1 to 4 based on the severity of haemorrhages. The incidence of ocular abnormalities was compared between low grade IVH (grade 1 and 2) and high grade IVH (grade 3 and 4). Of the 68 infants with IVH, ROP occurred in 33 infants (48.5%); 13 (43.3%) had low grade IVH; 20 (52.6%) had high grade IVH. Strabismus developed in 30 infants (44.1%); 14 (46.6%) had low grade IVH; 16 (42.1%) had high grade IVH. Infants with high grade IVH were at significant greater risk than infants with low grade IVH for the development of optic atrophy (31.5% v 16.6%), hydrocephalus (57.8% v 10%). This study highlights the serious significance of all grades of IVH with the higher incidence of optic atrophy and hydrocephalus with high grade IVH.