[Neonatal lenticulostriate vasculopathy. Mid and longterm outcome (70 cases)].
OBJECTIVE
If the pattern of neonatal lenticulostriate vasculopathies (NLSV) is well-known, the prognosis is unknown except in TORCH syndromes. This study was aimed to describe the short, mid and long-term outcome of NLSV of various origins.


METHODS
Of 9138 neonates (1981-2000) which were submitted to an early brain ultrasound study, 70 presented with a pattern of minor (35), moderate (27) or severe (8) NLSV, a single finding in 42 cases and in association with minor peri-intraventricular haemorrhage and/or leukomalacias in 28. The maternal and neonatal charts were reviewed, and the survivors were followed according to our usual policy.


RESULTS
Of nine deaths, eight cases included severe congenital defects (metabolic or malformations or acquired: transfused monochorial twins). Of 61 survivors, eight were lost to follow-up within the first year, 53 were followed for 21 months to 9 years and 7 months (median 4 years 5 months). Of 53 children, 35 (66%) were strictly normal, eight had minor deviations, four had moderate and six had major neurodevelopmental deficits. Of 34 survivors with isolated NLSV and known follow-up, 27 were normal (79%) versus 8/19 (42%) in associated NLSV.


CONCLUSIONS
Minor or moderate isolated NLSV generally have a good long-term prognosis. Associated forms of any severity depend mainly upon the severity of periventricular leukomalacias. Major forms of NLSV must be a warning sign of a possible underlying congenital anomaly which will rule the vital and functional prognosis.
El Ayoubi
M
M
Service de médecine néonatale de Port-Royal, AP-HP, 123, boulevard de Port-Royal, 75679 Paris 14, France.
de Bethmann
O
O
Firtion
G
G
Monset-Couchard
M
M
D020144:Basal Ganglia Cerebrovascular Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome