OCULAR FINDINGS IN PREMATURE-INFANTS WITH GRADE-IV INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE

Grade IV intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a severe complication of premature birth. We retrospectively performed serial exams on 13 infa nts with grade IV IVH and compared their ocular findings to 11 infants matched by gestational age and birth weight without an IVH. All child ren in the study were initially examined in the neonatal unit within 8 weeks after birth. Subsequent periodic eye exams were performed until 3 to 7 years of age. Of the 13 grade IV IVHs, there was a 92% inciden ce of ocular abnormalities, compared to a 73% incidence in the prematu re group without IVH. The children with grade IV hemorrhages had a sta tistically significant increased incidence of severe eye disease with resultant visual loss (38%) compared to the non-IVH group. Loss of vis ion was due to optic atrophy and retinopathy of prematurity. Grade IV IVH children are at high risk for severe eye disease and should have e arly and frequent ophthalmologic exams.