Perinatal Risk Factors for the Development of Neonatal Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Preterm Infants

Background: To evaluate the impact perinatal factors closely related to the development of neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in preterm infants. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was performed on premature infants born in our perinatal center in 2014–2018. Neonates with IVH were age-matched with normal controls (1:5). Perinatal factors were compared between cases and controls. Results: Fourteen cases and 70 controls had a median of 26.5 (range 22–29) weeks gestational age. Significant difference was observed regarding the incidence of clinical chorioamnionitis (43% and 14%, p = 0.023) and the use of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) (14% and 51%, p = 0.017). Adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were 8.3 (1.8–38) in clinical chorioamnionitis and 0.15 (0.03–0.76) in magnesium sulfate. Conclusions: Relevant perinatal factor of IVH in premature infants born before 30 weeks of gestation was strongly associated with clinical chorioamnionitis. Furthermore, MgSO4 exposure suggested a neuroprotective effect against IVH.