Detection of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) by transcephalic impedance (TCZ) in premature infants.

Transcephalic impedance was measured serially in 45 preterm infants less than 1500 g birth weight in order to test the method for the early detection of intraventricular hemorrhage. TCZ increased in all seventeen (38%) infants who developed IVH diagnosed by CT-scan or autopsy. Five of 8 infants monitored 4-8 weeks following confirmed IVH developed hydrocephalus documented by repeat CT-scans; all 5 were discovered early by the TCZ-method 2-3 weeks before physical findings or an increasing head circumference indicated the possibility of hydrocephalus. TCZ appears to be a useful non-invasive clinical guide to the occurrence and course of IVH in the newborn.