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Aims: To compare commonly mentioned risk factors between mild germinal matrix hemorrhage-Intraventricular hemorrhage (GMH-IVH) (grade I & II) and severe GMH-IVH (grade III & IV) and to study the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in relation to severe GMH-IVH.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Place and Duration of Study: Neonatal intensive care unit, King Fahad University Hospital, between 2000 and 2020.

Methodology: We included 54 premature infants at ≤36 weeks of gestation and with birth weight <2500g admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit. Premature neonates were divided into two subgroups: mild GMH-IVH (grade I and II) and severe (grade III and IV). We investigated the risk factors and neurodevelopmental outcomes in association with GMH-IVH.

Results: Amnionitis (OR: 1.190, 95% CI 0.515-2.749), lower genital tract infection (OR: 1.190, 95% CI 0.515-2.749), antenatal infection (OR: 1.406, 95% CI 0.866-2.283), gestational diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.815, 95% CI 1.410-2.337), usage of inotropes (OR: 1.731, 95% CI 1.348-2.222), APGAR score <7 (OR: 0.806, 95% CI 0.493-1.316), birth trauma (OR: 1.767, 95% CI 1.396-2.236), catecholamines (OR: 1.470, 95% CI 0.903-2.393), intubation (OR: 1.300, 95% CI 0.686-2.464), asphyxia (OR: 1.135, 95% CI 0.718-1.794), Abnormal coagulation (OR: 1.197, 95% CI 0.756-1.896), congenital heart disease (OR: 1.727, 95% CI 1.124-2.653), low hematocrit (OR: 1.140, 95% CI 0.688-1.889), resuscitation (OR: 1,193, 95% CI 0.748- 1.904) and ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt as a prognosis of hydrocephalus (P-value: 0.005) all showed a higher incidence with severe GMH-IVH

Conclusion: Amnionitis, lower genital tract infection, antenatal infections, GDM, usage of inotropes, APGAR score <7, birth trauma, catecholamines, intubation, asphyxia, resuscitation, abnormal coagulation parameters, congenital heart disease, low hematocrit and hydrocephalus with VP shunt were higher in severe GMH-IVH.