Clinical course and outcome of intraventricular haemorrhage in high risk neonate

ABSTRACT

To ascertain the clinical course of intracranial haemorrhage and to determine the short-term outcome of the affected baby. Design: This is a cross sectional prospective study. Setting: Neonatal Ward of Khulna Medical College Hospital for a period of 15 months from January 2002 to March 2003. Subjects: All the high-risk newborns admitted in Khulna Medical College Hospital were enrolled for this study. Low birth weight and perinatal asphyxia were regarded as the high risk factors. Main outcome variables Clinical features in relation to severity of haemorrhage and short term outcome. Twenty-one children [17.8%] out of 118 high-risk newborn developed intraventricular haemorrhage. Among 81 low birth weight babies 19 [23.5%] suffered from intraventricular haemorrhage. The commonest symptoms were refusal to suck; lethargy and signs were poor reflex and convulsion. Ten babies [47.6%] died within first two weeks of life and five recovered fully. The remaining 6 [28.6%] babies developed neurological sequleae. The natural course and prognosis of babies with intraventricular haemorrhage can be monitored with clinical feature along with the aid of cranial ultrasound