# Clinical Associations with Lenticulostriatal Vasculopathy (LSV) at Birth: A Case–Control Study

## TL;DR

This study finds that lenticulostriatal vasculopathy at birth is linked to larger head and body size in premature infants.

## Contribution

The study identifies novel clinical associations of LSV in neonates, particularly with head circumference and body length.

## Key findings

- Neonates with LSV had higher z-scores for head circumference and body length.
- LSV was associated with periventricular echogenicity but not congenital CMV.
- Findings suggest a potential link between LSV and physical growth parameters.

## Abstract

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics associated with the presence of LSV at birth. Design: Prospective 1:1 case–control study. Setting: Two tertiary neonatal units in Athens, Greece. Patients: Premature neonates (≤36 weeks gestational age) who underwent cerebral ultrasound within the first 3 weeks of life, where LSV was detected. Main outcome measure: Associations between LSV and clinical characteristics at birth. Both unmatched and matched analyses stratifying the study population by gestational week were conducted. Two-sided p-values were computed using the likelihood ratio test. Results: This study included 166 participants (83 cases and 83 controls). Neonates with LSV exhibited more concurrent cerebral findings, notably periventricular echogenicity. LSV was correlated with higher z-scores for head circumference and body length. LSV was not associated with congenital CMV. Conclusions: This study indicated a relationship between LSV and increased head circumference and body length. Further research is warranted to explore LSV’s pathophysiological mechanisms.