EVALUATION AT 4???5 YEARS OF SURVIVORS OF NEONATAL INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE:

Twenty-seven children of birthweight less than 1500 grams who had brain CT scans in the newborn period were evaluated at 4-5 yr, Physical and developmental measures were contrasted in 9 children surviving intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and 18 without hemorrhage (C). Previous Bayley Scales had been performed in the first 12 months. Mean scores on the McCarthy Scales differed between the ICH and C groups: General Cognitive Index 76.8±21.4 vs. 95.0±17.6*, Verbal 37.0±11.2 vs. 48.3±10.8*, Performance 37.1±12.0 vs. 48.3±8.5†, Motor 32.8±9.7 vs. 46.1±11.4†. Quantitative and Memory scales did not differ between groups. Correlation between Bayley MDI and McCarthy GCI was .74, although Bayley scores of ICH and C had not differed significantly. Within the ICH group, severity of hemorrhage correlated positively with mental development. Measures of lateralization (grip, finger tapping, and reaction time) showed no asymmetries in either group. Height and weight did not differ between groups, but head circumference was <5% in 3 of 9 ICH and 0 of 18 C. Three ICH children had neuromotor abnormality, but none showed lateralized dysfunction. Similarly, no lateralized neurocognitive deficits were found. At 4-5 yr., overall performance was compromised in infants who had suffered ICH.