Jonna Maunu

The aim of this study was to analyse the relation between ventricular dilatation at term and neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years corrected age in infants of very low birthweight (VLBW) or very low gestational age (VLGA). A total of 225 VLBW or VLGA infants (121 males, 104 female; mean birthweight 1133 g, SD 333 g; mean gestational age 29 wks, SD 2 wks 5d) born in Turku University Hospital were included. Ventricular-brain ratio and the widths of each lateral ventricular horn were determined using ultrasonography, and the volume of the ventricles was measured by magnetic resonance imaging at term. The 2-year outcome measures included scores for the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination, the presence of cerebral palsy (CP), the Mental Developmental Index (MDI) of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (2nd edition), and the presence of severe hearing or vision impairments or any neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI). CP was diagnosed in 15 participants (6.7%) and severe hearing deficit in 12 participants (5.3%). No severe vision impairment was found. Mild and severe cognitive delay was found in 24 (10.7%) and 8 (3.6%) of the VLBW or VLGA infants respectively. Isolated ventricular dilatation did not increase the risk for developmental impairments. However, ventricular dilatation with additional brain pathology was significantly associated with CP, MDI score below 70, and NDI. A ventricular-brain ratio above 0.35 was a sensitive measure of developmental impairment. Ventricular dilatation at term increases the risk of poor developmental outcome only when associated with other brain pathology. The ventricular-brain ratio is a useful clinical tool for determining the prognosis in VLBW and VLGA infants.

OBJECTIVES. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship among the size of the lateral ventricles, head-circumference measure, and brain volumes. In addition, the association between ventricular dilatation and various brain lesions was defined. PATIENTS AND METHODS. A total of 257 preterm very low birth weight (≤1500 g) infants who met the inclusion criteria were born in Turku University Central Hospital between 2001 and 2006. A total of 209 (84.8%) of 218 survivors participated in the study. The measurements at term included the ventricular brain ratio, the widths of the frontal and occipital horns of the lateral ventricles by ultrasound, total and regional brain volumes by MRI, and head circumference. Brain lesions were defined by ultrasound at 3 to 5, 7 to 10, and 30 days of age monthly until discharge and by MRI and ultrasound at term. RESULTS. An abnormal ventricular brain ratio (>0.35), an increasing number of dilated ventricular horns, and smaller head circumference were significantly associated with smaller total brain tissue volume. The abnormal ventricular brain ratio and the increasing number of dilated ventricular horns in ultrasound associated with larger ventricular volumes in MRI, and a smaller head circumference was associated significantly with reduced regional brain tissue volumes. Brain lesions were more common in infants with ventriculomegaly. CONCLUSIONS. The ventricular brain ratio, widths of the lateral ventricular horns, and head circumference are appropriate measures for the estimation of both total and regional brain tissue volumes. Ventriculomegaly is strongly associated with brain lesions.

OBJECTIVES. The objective of this study was to assess crying behavior during infancy in very preterm infants with or without brain injury.METHODS. A total of 125 very low birth weight infants survived during January 2001 to July 2004 in Turku University Hospital, Finland. They were categorized according to the most pathologic brain finding either in ultrasound or MRI. Baby Day Diary was used to assess crying behavior at term, 6 weeks, and 5 months of corrected age. The behavior of a group of term control infants (n = 49) was assessed at 5 months.RESULTS. Severe brain injuries in very low birth weight infants did not affect the duration of fussing or crying. In very low birth weight infants, brain injuries did not affect the frequency of fussing or crying bouts or the development of circadian rhythm in crying behavior. At 5 months of corrected age, fussing bouts were more frequent in very low birth weight infants compared with term control infants (6.4 per day vs 4.5 per day), and very low birth weight infants were held more (169 minutes [97] vs 130 minutes [69], respectively).CONCLUSIONS. This prospective study using a validated cry diary showed that brain injuries that are related to prematurity do not have major effects on crying behavior or development of circadian rhythm. Prematurity does not increase the duration but increases the frequency of fussing and crying at 5 months of corrected age compared with term control infants. It also seems that prematurity and brain pathology may increase caregiving activity in the form of holding.