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Am J Perinatol 2001; 18(2): 079-086
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-13633
ORIGINAL ARTICLES

Copyright © 2001 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Late-Onset Cystic Periventricular Leukomalacia in Premature Infants: A Threat Until Term

Patrick André1 , Bernard Thébaud1 , Jocelyne Delavaucoupet2 , Véronique Zupan1 , Nathalie Blanc1 , Anne Marie d'Allest3 , Caroline Rambaud4 , Michel Dehan1 , Thierry Lacaze-Masmonteil1
  • 1Service de Pédiatrie et Réanimation Néonatale, Hôpital Antoine Béclère, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris-Sud, Clamart, France
  • 2Service de Radiologie, Hôpital Antoine Béclère, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris-Sud, Clamart, France
  • 3Service des Explorations Fonctionnelles, Hôpital Antoine Béclère, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris-Sud, Clamart, France
  • 4Service d'Anatomie Pathologique, Hôpital Antoine Béclère, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris-Sud, Clamart, France
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The purposes of this study are (1) to describe a ``late-onset'' form of cystic periventricular leukomalacia eventually appearing in premature infants whose neurological assessments were normal in the first month of life; (2) to retrospectively evaluate its incidence among a large population of premature infants; (3) to suggest that a few unexpected complications of prematurity may trigger the development of white matter damage, even several weeks after birth. Retrospective study in a population of 1452 surviving infants after 5 days born before 33 weeks. We identified 10 cases of late-onset cystic periventricular leukomalacia appearing beyond the first 5 weeks of life. In 8 cases, an intercurrent event associated with a systemic inflammatory response preceded the appearance of cysts: necrotizing enterocolitis (n = 5), septicemia (n = 2 cases), strangulated inguinal hernia in one infant. Neurological surveillance should be repeated until discharge in very preterm infants, especially after the occurrence of an intercurrent complication coming along with a systemic inflammatory response.

KEYWORD

Periventricular leukomalacia - white matter damage - preterm infant - cerebral palsy

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