Outcome for preterm infants with germinal matrix hemorrhage and progressive hydrocephalus.

OBJECTIVE

An analysis of 76 preterm infants with Grade III or IV intracranial hemorrhage and surgically treated progressive hydrocephalus was undertaken to determine mortality, intellectual impairment, and motor deficit.

METHODS

The variables examined were degree of prematurity, birth weight, sex, Apgar scores, extent of intracranial hemorrhage, seizures, age at time of initial placement of a ventricular catheter reservoir to control hydrocephalus, need to convert the reservoir to a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, timing of the conversion of the reservoir to a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, and number of shunt revisions. Outcome was assessed for statistical significance using hierarchical linear regression and logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Linear regression analysis determined that mortality was best predicted, in order of importance, by extent of intracranial hemorrhage, number of shunt revisions, and birth weight (P < 0.0001, R = 0.79). Grade of hemorrhage, weight at birth, and presence of seizure activity were the most important determinants of motor outcome (P < 0.001, R = -0.78).

CONCLUSIONS

Logistic regression analysis of the 41 long-term survivors determined that grade of hemorrhage was the most important variable in determining cognitive outcome (P < 0.0001), motor function (P < 0.0001), and presence of seizure activity (P < 0.001). A logistic model of survival determined that grade of hemorrhage and multiple shunt revisions (more than five) were the most important determinants (P < 0.0001) of survival. In conclusion, the overwhelming factor in determining outcome in this patient group was the extent of intracranial hemorrhage.