RISK-FACTORS FOR AND CLINICAL MANIFESTATI ONS OF PERIVENTRICULAR AND INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE IN PREMATURE-INFANTS IN YAOUNDE (CAMEROON)

Among 70 premature neonates with a gestational age of less than 35 wee ks hospitalized at the Yaounde Central Hospital (Cameroon), 30 (42,8 % ) were found to have transfontanellar ultrasonography evidence of peri ventricular or intraventricular hemorrhage. Periventricular or intrave ntricular bleeding was significantly correlated with a birth weight un der 1.500 g, hypothermia, and resuscitation at birth, but not with res piratory distress (respiratory distress syndrome was rare in this stud y, as in previous studies in black Africa).