Developmental outcome of infants with grade III intraventricular hemorrhage.

To determine the developmental outcome of premature infants weighing 1,750 gm or less at birth and who had grade III intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), we followed up ten infants with IVH confirmed by computed tomography (CT) and ten CT-negative control infants until they were 12 months corrected age. The infants were evaluated at three-month intervals with neurologic examinations; hearing, speech, and language assessments; Bayley testing; and evoked response studies. Normal criteria were defined in each area. Eight of the ten grade III IVH survivors had identifiable defects, with a predominance of motor deficits, as assessed by two or more parameters. Only three of the ten patients without IVH had two or more suspicious or abnormal assessments. Infants with grade III IVH may have widespread damage. A multidisciplinary approach to evaluating these patients is mandatory to determine the full extent of various deficits. Similar studies of infants with all degrees of IVH may help to define its full impact on their long-term development.