Significance of hypocarbia in the development of periventricular leukomalacia in preterm infants

Abstract

Background : Despite rapid advances in the management of preterm infants, periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) remains a considerable problem in neonatal intensive care. The aim of this study was to determine whether hypocarbia is associated with the development of PVL in mechanically ventilated, preterm infants and to emphasize the importance of avoiding this disturbance. Methods : The authors evaluated 52 mechanically ventilated infants with a gestational age of Results : Of the 52 mechanically ventilated preterm infants with hypocarbia, 10 (19.2%) developed cystic PVL, and six (11.5%) developed periventricular echodensity. Of the 52 infants in the control group only two (3.8%) developed cystic PVL, and one (1.9%) infant developed periventricular echodensity. The authors observed no significant differences in other prenatal and perinatal risk factors between the two groups. Conclusion : Hypocarbia in mechanically ventilated preterm infants during the first days of life is suggested as being an independent predictor of PVL, predisposing these infants to subsequent neurodevelopmental delay.