Objectives To investigate the occurrence of peri/intraventricular haemorrhage (P/IVH) in preterm infants and its potential association with cerebral regional oxygen saturation (crSO₂) during the immediate transition.

Methods In this two-centre prospective observational cohort study, crSO₂ was measured with near-infrared spectroscopy in preterm infants (<32 weeks of gestational age) during the immediate neonatal transition (15 min). In addition, arterial oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and heart rate (HR) were monitored with pulse oximetry. Cranial ultrasound scans were performed on day 4, day 7 and day 14 after birth and before discharge. Neonates with IVH of any grade (IVH group) were matched to the neonates without IVH (Non-IVH group) on gestational age (±1 week) and birth weight (±100 g). The duration and magnitude of deviation from the 10th centile in crSO2 during immediate transition was analysed and expressed in %minutes.

Results IVH was found in 12 of the included neonates, who were matched to 12 neonates without IVH. There was no difference in SpO₂ and HR between these two groups. The duration and magnitude of centiles-deviation of crSO₂ was significantly pronounced in the IVH group compared with the Non-IVH group (1870%min vs 456%min).

Conclusions The neonates of the IVH group showed significantly lower crSO₂ values during the immediate transition, although there was no difference concerning SpO₂ and HR. The additional monitoring of crSO₂ during the immediate transition could reveal neonates with higher risk of developing an IVH later in the course.