Low-Grade Intraventricular Hemorrhage and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at 24-42 Months of Age

Infants with high-grade (III-IV) intraventricular hemorrhage have been reported to have worse neurodevelopmental outcomes than those without, but outcomes of infants with low-grade (I-II) intraventricular hemorrhage are mixed. We sought to compare neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants with low-grade intraventricular hemorrhage to those with no intraventricular hemorrhage. This is a retrospective cohort study of very preterm (<= 32 weeks' gestation) infants evaluated between 24 and 42 months chronologic age using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 3rd edition, to determine neurodevelopmental outcomes. Linear regression was used to control for potential confounders. There was no difference in outcome scores between groups when controlling for confounding variables. Infants with low-grade intraventricular hemorrhage, however, had higher rates of enrollment in early intervention services (64% vs 49%, P = .023). Low-grade intraventricular hemorrhage itself may not significantly increase the risk of neurodevelopmental impairment through the first 3 years of life considering other conditions of prematurity.