INCIDENCE, TIMING, AND FOLLOW-UP OF PERIVENTRICULAR LEUKOMALACIA

Screening cranial ultrasounds were performed on 115 very low birthweig ht infants during the first week of life. Fourteen infants (12%) devel oped changes of periventricular leukomalacia. All 14 weighed 1100 g or less at birth. Eight infants' initial studies were normal, four had i ntraventricular hemorrhage, and two had periventricular echo densities . Cystic periventricular leukomalacia developed between 17 and 104 day s of age and occurred later in those infants whose initial study was n ormal. There were tone abnormalities in 11 of the 12 infants who recei ved developmental follow-up. Severe cognitive delays were common in th e older infants. This study demonstrates the need for late ultrasound screening even in the presence of initial normal ultrasound examinatio ns.