Childhood outcomes after low‐grade intraventricular haemorrhage: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Aim To undertake a systematic review and meta‐analysis exploring school‐age neurodevelopmental outcomes of children after low‐grade intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH). Method The published and grey literature was extensively searched to identify observational comparative studies exploring neurodevelopmental outcomes after IVH grades 1 and 2. Our primary outcome was neurodevelopmental impairment after 5 years of age, which included cognitive, motor, speech and language, behavioural, hearing, or visual impairments. Results This review included 12 studies and over 2036 infants born preterm with low grade IVH. Studies used 30 different neurodevelopmental tools to determine outcomes. There was conflicting evidence of the composite risk of neurodevelopmental impairment after low‐grade IVH. There was evidence of an association between low‐grade IVH and lower IQ at school age (−4.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] –7.53, −0.92, I2 = 0%) but impact on school performance was unclear. Studies reported an increased crude risk of cerebral palsy after low‐grade IVH (odds ratio [OR] 2.92, 95% CI 1.95, 4.37, I2 = 41%). No increased risk of speech and language impairment or behavioural impairment was found. Few studies addressed hearing and visual impairment. Interpretation This systematic review presents evidence that low‐grade IVH is associated with specific neurodevelopmental impairments at school age, lending support to the theory that low‐grade IVH is not a benign condition. What this paper adds The functional impact of low‐grade intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) at school age is unknown. Low‐grade IVH is associated with a lower IQ at school age. The risk of cerebral palsy is increased after low‐grade IVH. Low‐grade IVH is not associated with speech and language impairment. What this paper adds The functional impact of low‐grade intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) at school age is unknown. Low‐grade IVH is associated with a lower IQ at school age. The risk of cerebral palsy is increased after low‐grade IVH. Low‐grade IVH is not associated with speech and language impairment.