Perinatal risk factors for cranial ultrasound abnormalities in neonates born after spontaneous labour before 34 weeks

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for cranial u ltrasound abnormalities: in neonates born after spontaneous preterm labour with or without prolonged premature rupture of the membranes (PROM). Method s: The presence of intraventricular haemorrhage and cystic periventricular leucomalacia was investigated in a cohort of neonates born between 24 and 3 4 weeks using cranial ultrasound. A stepwise forward logistic regression wa s performed to analyse the influence of antenatal and postnatal variables o n cranial ultrasound abnormalities. Results: The study group consisted of 2 05 neonates and cranial ultrasound abnormalities were identified in 27 infa nts, Early onset neonatal infectious disease (OR 3.09. 95% CI 1.24-7.70. P = 0.01) increased the risk for cranial ultrasound abnormalities. Gestationa l age at birth (OR 0.96. 95% CI 0.93-0.99, P = 0.03) and a Full course of a ntenatal steroids (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.13-0.85. P = 0.02) reduced the risk fo r cranial ultrasound abnormalities, Conclusion: Early onset neonatal infect ious disease is an independent risk factor for cranial ultrasound abnormali ties in the very preterm neonate born after spontaneous labour with or with out FROM. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.