Abstract
The Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination was performed in 24 infants with cystic
periventricular leukomalacia whose gestational age ranged between 26 - 38 weeks. The
infants were examined between 6 and 9.5 months corrected age. The aim of the study
was to establish the different patterns of neurological abnormality as well as the
optimality scores that predict the severity of motor sequelae at 2 years. Increased
neck and trunk extensor tone, and a posture of flexed arms and extended legs between
6 and 9 months were always associated with the inability to sit unsupported at 2 years,
whilst truncal hypotonia and extended arms and legs were associated with unsupported
sitting but not walking. Optimality scores between 41 and 60 were generally associated
with sitting but not walking at 2 years whilst scores below 40 were always associated
with the inability to sit independently at 2 years. All infants who did not develop
cerebral palsy at 2 years had scores > 60. Our results suggest that the pattern of
findings on neurological examination performed between 6 and 9 months as well as the
calculated optimality score helps to predict motor impairment in infants with PVL.
Key words
PVL - neurological - outcome
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Dr. Daniela Ricci
Pediatric Neurology Catholic University
Largo Gemelli, 8
00168 Rome
Italy
Email: daniricciola@libero.it