Intra-Ventricular Hemorrhage: Frequency and outcomes at the time of discharge

Background and Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and its severity as an important cause of death and lifelong neurological complications in premature infants. Methods: This cross -sectional study was conducted in an academic referral hospital, designed for high -risk pregnancies over the period between Jan 2011 and Mar 2018. All premature ( 34wk) and very low birth weight ( 1500gr) infants diagnosed with IVH by brain ultrasonography (BUS) were included in the study. All infants’ information and outcome at the time of discharge were recorded and then analyzed. Findings: Out of 2563 eligible infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, 138 neonates (5.38%) were diagnosed with IVH. The mean gestational age and the birth weights were 29.97±2.89 weeks and 1084±327.71 grams, respectively. The frequencies of IVH grades included: 106(76.81%) with grade I, 23(16.67%) with grade II, 7(5.07%) with grade III, and 2(1.45%) with grade IV. Four cases (2.9%) underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion and three of them died. Conclusion: In this study IVH frequency in our setting was lower, compared to that of developed countries. This may be due to limitation of performing BUS in neonates who died during the first week of life. Due to neurological complications, especially in severe cases of IVH, premature delivery and very low birth weight should be prevented with appropriate measures.