Differences between periventricular hemorrhagic infarction and periventricular leukomalacia.

PURPOSE: To clarify the differences between infants with periventricular hemorrhagic infarction (PVHI) and those with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL).

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the clinical features, ultrasonography, and electroencephalogram (EEG) findings in 22 preterm infants with PVHI and 49 with PVL. EEG and cranial ultrasonography were serially performed in all participants starting immediately after birth. Acute and chronic stage EEG abnormalities were evaluated separately.

RESULTS

Gestational age and birth weight were significantly lower in infants with PVHI than those with PVL. EEGs were normal in the majority of infants with PVHI on days 1-2. However, EEG abnormalities appeared after ultrasonography abnormalities. The majority of infants with PVL showed acute-stage EEG abnormalities on days 1-2. The rate of infants with acute-stage EEG abnormalities decreased with age, whereas the rate of infants with chronic-stage EEG abnormalities increased with age. Normal EEG before ultrasonography abnormalities was more common in infants with PVHI than in those with PVL. However, deterioration of acute-stage EEG abnormalities was more frequent in infants with PVHI than in those with PVL.

CONCLUSIONS

PVHI was presumed to cause mostly postnatal injury, whereas PVL was presumed to cause mostly pre-or perinatal injury.