Posthaemorrhagic hydrocephalus and periventricular cerebral atrophy in preterm infants with birth weights of 1,500 gm or less. Determination of incidence by brain ultrasound

Real time ultrasound examinations were performed on 80 consecutive born and surviving infants whose birth weights were 1,500 gm or less. Prior to discharge from the hospital 8 children were shown to have morphologic abnormalities caused by cerebral ischaemia or intraventricular haemorrhage. 6 children (7.5%) had non-progressive enlargement of parts of the ventricular system. 2 children (2.5%) developed a post haemorrhagic hydrocephalus. In one case ventriculostomy was performed, the other had spontaneous arrest. Ultrasound examination of the infant's brain is an ideal screening method to identify children at risk for later development.