Periventricular leucomalacia in premature infants in neonatal ward, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital: A preliminary study

Introduction Periventricular leucomalacia (PVL) is a major cause of neurodevelopment delay in premature infants, so early detec- tion of the preterm infant at high risk for the subsequent develop- ment of this lesion is critical. Objectives To determine the prevalence of PVL in premature in- fants hospitalized in neonatal ward, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospi- tal using cranial ultrasound scans and define its characteristics Methods Premature infants hospitalized in the neonatal ward from January to July 2003 were included in this study. Clinical features were retrieved from medical charts. Ultrasound scan was performed once, after the age of 7 days and interpretations were read sepa- rately by two consultants of the radiology division. Results Fifty-one infants were included, 21 with <32-week gesta- tion, 30 with >32-week gestation; birth weight range were 1000 to 2600 gram. Nineteen infants had cystic lesion and/or dilatation of the ventricle from the cranial ultrasound scan. The prevalence of PVL in gestational age (GA) of <32 weeks was 6/21 and that in GA of >32 weeks was 13/30. Risk factors found in infants with PVL were maternal infection, respiratory distress, sepsis and circula- tory failure. Conclusion The prevalence of PVL in preterm infants in Cipto Mangunkusumo neonatal ward was higher than that was reported in developed countries. Maternal infection, respiratory distress, sepsis, and circulatory failure which were commonly found in these infants were factors to be considered as risks for PV