Risk factors and associated diseases among preterm infants with isolated lenticulostriate vasculopathy

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, risk factors and diseases associated with isolated lenticulostriate vasculopathy (LSV) among preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: Medical records of 84 preterm infants (gestational age (GA) 25 to 34 weeks) with isolated LSV in a case control retrospective study over a period of 6.5 years were reviewed and compared with matched control infants. LSV was defined as 'early' if it was documented in head ultrasound (HUS) before or on the fifth day of life and 'late' if it was not present in the first HUS and recorded later during neonatal hospitalization. RESULTS: A 3.9% prevalence of LSV was recorded among preterm infants (GA 34 weeks). Study and control groups were similar for all maternal parameters, neonatal outcomes and length of hospitalization. Infants with late LSV had more neonatal complications than control infants and were born with younger GA and lower birth weight in comparison to infants with early LSV. More infants with late LSV needed mechanical ventilation, were diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and were hospitalized longer in comparison to infants with early LSV. Urine cytomegalovirus was negative in the entire study group. CONCLUSIONS: No risk factors or specific associated morbidities were identified among preterm infants with early isolated LSV. Infants with late isolated LSV were younger and had overall increased associated morbidities. Long-term outcome studies are needed to determine LSV impact.