Neurodevelopmental outcome of survivors with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus following Grade II neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage.

This report describes the neurodevelopmental outcome in 12 children who developed posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus following Grade II intraventricular hemorrhage. Grade II intraventricular hemorrhage is defined as the partial filling of both lateral ventricles by intraventricular blood, documented by computed tomographic brain scan. Characteristics of the study group included a mean birth weight of 1.8 kg and a mean gestation of 32.3 weeks. Subjects were followed for three to seven years (mean, four and one-half years). Neurological evaluations were conducted prospectively. Bayley's Scales of Infant Development and McCarthy's Scales of Children's Abilities were used for the psychometric evaluations. All children were ambulatory. Only 1 had moderate spastic diplegia. Nine children (75%) had IQ scores within the normal range. The results of this prospective analysis suggest a favorable outcome for infants surviving with Grade II intraventricular hemorrhage, even with the complication of posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus.