Rates and predictors of intraventricular hemorrhage in the ventfirst trial with comparison to a contemporaneous cohort.

OBJECTIVE

Describe rates of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in the VentFirst cohort, model risks for severe IVH and compare IVH rates to a contemporaneous population.

STUDY

DESIGN

Sub-analysis of the VentFirst multi-center randomized trial.

RESULTS

Head ultrasound findings from 548 infants <29 weeks' gestation who survived to first head ultrasound study in the VentFirst trial were analyzed. Any grade of IVH was found in 31% and severe (grade III/ IV) IVH in 8%. Logistic regression indicated gestational age (GA), twin gestation and 1-minute Apgar as risks for severe IVH. Odds of any IVH and severe IVH were lower in the VentFirst population than in a comparable population in the Vermont Oxford Network.

CONCLUSION

Severe IVH in the VentFirst trial was associated with low GA, twin gestation and low 1-minute Apgar score. The lower odds of IVH for the study cohort compared to a similar population may reflect optimized delivery conditions.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02742454.