Time to normalization of intracranial pressure secondary to intraventricular hemorrhage and the need for retinopathy of prematurity treatment in infants diagnosed with both conditions.

PURPOSE: To determine whether time to normalization of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) caused by intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is associated with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) treatment in premature infants diagnosed with both conditions.

METHODS

The medical records of all premature infants born at ≤ 35 weeks' gestation and/or birth weight of ≤ 1500 g diagnosed with both any stage of ROP and any grade of IVH, with or without secondary increased ICP (defined as ≥ 20 cm H(2)O) were retrospectively reviewed. Adjusting for birth weight and gestational age, we compared time to normalization of increased ICP in infants treated for increased ICP only with that of infants treated for both increased ICP and ROP.

RESULTS

A total of 21 infants were included. ICP levels normalized at a significantly older postnatal age in infants treated for both increased ICP and ROP (100 days) than in those treated for elevated ICP alone (45 days), after we adjusted for the results for birth weight and gestational age (P = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

Earlier control of increased ICP secondary to IVH may reduce the need for ROP treatment in premature babies initially diagnosed with both conditions.