Normal Values of Third Ventricular Width of Preterm Infants

Objectives: Although the third ventricle width reference ranges obtained by cranial ultrasonography in term infants are known in the literature. There is no adequate up-to-date data regarding the reference ranges of third ventricle width in premature infants. In our study, we aimed to obtain the normal reference values of third ventricle width and the third ventricle related parameters in preterm infants (gestational age [GA] 38 weeks). Materials and Methods: In our study 156 early preterm infants (GA 32 weeks) and 64 moderately-late preterm infants (GA≥32 and 38weeks) were included. Weights and head circumference of all infants were measured before cranial ultrasonography (C-US). The right and left lateral ventricle anterior horn width (AHW), ventricular index (VI) and third ventricle width were recorded through C-US. Study data was divided into 2 groups as early preterm infants and moderately-late preterm infants. Results: Third ventricle was successfully measured in all preterm infants. While the frequency of cesarean section operations was significantly higher, weights and head circumferences were significantly lower (p 0.05) in early preterm infants. R-AHW, L-AHW, R-VI, L-VI values were significantly higher in moderately-late preterm infants compared to early preterm infants (p 0.05). Mean±SD, median, minimum and maximum third ventricle diameters in early preterm infants were 1.27±0.33mm, 1.20mm, 0.50mm and 1.90mm respectively. Through univariate analysis, GA, R-AHW, L-AHW, R-VI, L-VI values were found to have an association with third ventricle diameters. Linear regression analysis revealed that only GA and R-AHW were independently associated with third ventricle (beta: 0.611, p 0.001 and beta: 0.141, p=0.011, respectively). Conclusion: The third ventricle width obtained through C-US is significantly lower in early preterm infants than in moderately late term infants and is independently associated with GA values. The results of our study are critical to the identification of third ventricle dilation in preterm infants in a clinical environment.