Incidence and Associated Factors of Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Preterm Neonates at Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Children, Ramadi City, Iraq

Roaa Jasim; Rana Fahmi Shitran; Raid Muhmid Al-Ani

doi:10.54133/ajms.v11i1.3088

Authors

Roaa Jasim Department of Pediatrics, Al-Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Children, Anbar, Iraq
Rana Fahmi Shitran Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Anbar, Anbar, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8475-236X
Raid Muhmid Al-Ani Department of Surgery/Otolaryngology, College of Medicine, University of Anbar, Anbar, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4263-9630

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54133/ajms.v11i1.3088

Keywords:

Intraventricular hemorrhage, Incidence, Iraq, Preterm, Ramadi

Abstract

Background: Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a common complication in premature infants, and it is associated with a high risk of neurodevelopmental impairment and mortality. Objective: To estimate the incidence of IVH in preterm neonates and the associated factors that increase it. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study that included 89 preterm newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Ramadi Maternity and Children Teaching Hospital from December 2024 to June 2025. IVH was diagnosed by ultrasonography on day 3 and day 7 of the delivery and admission to the NICU. Results: 89 neonates revealed different grades of IVH in 15(16.9%). There are significant associations between IVH and neonate male sex (p=0.021), lowest gestational age (p=0.045), low birthweight (p=0.015), need for positive pressure (p=0.042), and the use of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and surfactant (p=0.031). There is a significant association between sepsis and the incidence of IVH (p<0.001) and preterm infants who developed hypoglycemia (p=0.005). Preterm infants were found to have a murmur due to patent ductus arteriosus (p=0.02). Conclusions: The incidence of IVH in preterm neonates at Ramadi, Iraq, was 16.9%. Neonatal factors were male sex, decreased gestational age, low birth weight, the need for positive pressure for resuscitation, the need for CPAP and surfactant, having sepsis, hypoglycemia, and having a murmur due to patent ductus arteriosus. Regarding maternal factors: premature rupture of membrane and multiparity.

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