Effect of Indomethacin Therpy on Prevention of Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Very

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Intraventricular hemorrhage(IVH) is a major risk factor for neurodevelop- mental handicap in very low birth weight infant. So we carried out to determine the efficacy of indomethacin in reducing the incidence of intraventricular heorrhage in very low birth weight infant. METHODS: A prospective, random trial was carried out to determine the efficacy of indomethacin in preventing intraventricular hemorrhage. A total of 46 infants of less than 1500g birth weight admitted to NICU of IL Sin Christian Hospital from August 1995 to June 1997 were analyzed. Randomly, 23 infants were given indomethacin and 23 infants were not given as control group. Serial cranial ultrasound examination was performed. RESULTS: There were no differences in the birth weight, gestational age, sex, Apgar score, blood pressure, intake and output within the first 3 days between the indornethacin and control groups. Of 23 infants given indomethacin, four had germinal matrix or intraventricular hemorrhage, in comparison with 10 of 23 control infants(P=0.045). CONCLUSION: Prophylactic indomethacin lowers the incidence of IVH in very low birth weight infants.