Neurological outcome of severe cystic periventricular leukomalacia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the neurological outcome of a cohort of premature babies having ultrasound diagnoses of severe cystic periventricular leukomalacia.


METHODS
All neonatal intensive care unit admissions born at less than 35 weeks gestation or weighing less than 1500 g underwent serial cranial ultrasounds. Those developing severe bilateral cystic periventricular leukomalacia (12 patients) were then followed clinically to a mean age of 27.3 months.


RESULTS
Ten of the 12 patients fulfilling strict ultrasound criteria survived. All had a major neurological handicap, all having spastic quadriparesis and visual impairments, with most suffering global developmental delay and epilepsy.


CONCLUSIONS
Severe bilateral cystic periventricular leukomalacia results in major permanent handicap. It is currently impossible to identify most patients with this condition while they are being ventilated. Non-ultrasound techniques are needed to diagnose the condition earlier, and to give guidance to management.
Wilkinson
I
I
John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
Bear
J
J
Smith
J
J
Gill
A
A
Challinor
C
C
Jones
W
W
Shahidullah
M
M
Wooderson
S
S
D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007969:Leukomalacia, Periventricular / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D014463:Ultrasonography