Clinical features of and cardiotocographic findings for premature infants with antenatal periventricular leukomalacia

Objective: To clarify the clinical features of and cardiotocographic findings for premature infants with antenatal periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). Methods: Antenatal PVL was judged to be present if a cyst greater than 3 mm in largest diameter was detected in the periventricular region by the 14th day of life on cranial ultrasonography. The clinical features of and cardiotocographic findings for 12 premature infants with antenatal PVL born within 1 year were compared with those of 12 infants chosen as control group matched in gestational age at birth from the premature infants without antenatal PVL born within the study period. Results: Abnormalities of the umbilical cord such as coiling, excessive torsion and membrane insertion were observed more frequently for infants with antenatal PVL (58.3%) than for control infants (16.7%) (P<0.05). Frequent moderate variable deceleration on the fetal cardiogram was also observed more frequently for infants with antenatal PVL (80.0%) than for control infants (27.3%) (P<0.05). Conclusion: Abnormalities of the umbilical cord and frequent moderate variable deceleration on fetal cardiotocogram appear to be causes of antenatal PVL in premature infants. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.