Co-relation of birth weight with periventricular hemorrhage-a prospective study of two groups of newborns

ABSTRACT

To determine the difference between prevalence of Periventricular - Intraventricular Hemorrhage [PIVH] in the newborns on the basis of birth weight. Prospective study. Neonatology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Post Graduate Medical Institute / Services Hospital, Lahore, from 1[st] April to 31[st] July 2000. All new born admitted in Neonatal Unit of Services Hospital within 24 hours of birth were included in the study. Birth weight was documented. Cranial ultrasonography was done twice in all babies, once within 24 hours of birth and second between 4 and 5 days of life. All newborns included in the study were divided into two groups on the basis of birth weight; One group with birth weight less than 1500 gms the second group with weight 1500 gm and more. In babies with PIVH, the extent of hemorrhage was graded. 364 out of 448 [81%] fulfilled criteria for admission to this study. Cranial ultrasound was done twice in all babies, irrespective of diagnosis. 36 babies [9.9%] died within 72 hours of life. Babies with birth weight less than 1500 gm were 110 [30%], whereas, those more than 1500 Gm birth weight it was 68 [62%], 54 [21%] babies were delivered at Services Hospital, 79 [22%] in different maternity centers and 169 [46%] were home delivered. Distribution of grading of PIVH showed that 64 cases had grade-l hemorrhage, 27 had grade-ll, 18 had grade-Ill and 13 had Grade-IV hemorrhage. First scan detected 55 [45%] cases. Cranial ultrasound should be done in all premature and low birth weight newborns within 4-5 days of life to detect PIVH fairly accurate and easily.Co-relation of birth weight with periventricular hemorrhage