[Comparative echoventriculographic studies in premature, low weight and mature infants].

In 135 preterm and low-weight prematures and in 17 low-weight infants with normal time of gestation the diameter of the body region (= Cella media region) of the lateral ventricles and the width of the third ventricle were measured by means of one-dimensional echoencephalography. The observations were made during the period of the first 30 months. The diameter of the parietal cerebral matter was defined as difference of the biparietal skull diameter minus width of the body region of both lateral ventricles. By comparing healthy, maturely born children with preterm children the fetal age was taken as a basis. Statistics were taken from the age of one month onward. The preterm children showed significant lower values for the diameter of the cerebral matter and the index of the body region. Accordingly the values for the width of the body region were higher. The results are explaned not only with atrophic changes. According to our investigations they also can be caused by a retarded maturation of brain, which can be compensated partly or completely in the course of the child's development.