NEURODEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME AT 5-7 YEARS IN PRETERM INFANTS WITH PERIVENTRICULAR LEUKOMALACIA

We describe outcome at 5-7 years of 37 subjects with periventricular l eukomalacia (PVL). Children were divided into 3 groups based on PVL ty pe and clinical outcome. Subjects with cystic PVL greater-than-or-equa l-to 5 mm-1 cm or more (n = 14) all developed CP. CP was found in only 2 subjects out of 11 with cystic PVL < 5 mm. One had GII < 70 accordi ng to McCarthy's Scales of Children's abilities. Mild neurological sig ns were present in 7 and 1 child was normal. Subjects with so-called ' 'prolonged flare'' (n = 12) included 6 CP cases, 4 with mild neurologi cal signs and 2 normal subjects. Prognosis was related to site and num ber of cysts. Cognitive profiles tended to be disharmonic, with discre pancies between verbal, performance and motor scores. We conclude that PVL represents an important diagnostic tool in both short and long-te rm neurodevelopmental outcome.