Abstract: Objective　To assess the effect of PIVH on the cerebellar development in VLBW premature infants by means of cranial ultrasound.　Methods　Two hundred VLBW premature infants with gestational age 25 to 31+6 weeks were enrolled and divided into with a PIVH group (n=67), and a without PIVH group (n=133). The differences in transverse cerebellar diameter, vermis height, vermis diameter, vermis circumference and vermis area between the two groups were compared.　Results　Transverse cerebellar diameter, vermis height, vermis diameter, vermis circumference and vermis area of preterm infants in the PIVH group were significantly lower than those of preterm ones in the without PIVH group at term equivalent age (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in weight (P=0.31) and head circumference (P=0.462). In subgroup analysis, Transverse cerebellar diameter of the preterm infants with grades Ⅲ、Ⅳ PIVH was significantly lower than those of preterm ones with grades Ⅰ、Ⅱ PIVH (P=0.012). There were no significant difference in weight, head circumference, vermis height, vermis diameter, vermis circumference and vermis between these subgroups.　Conclusions　PIVH may have a significant impact on cerebellar development in VLBW premature infants, especially those with a severe PIVH. The transverse cerebellar diameter is more affected than other indicators.

Key words: Cerebellum, 　Cranial ultrasound, 　Premature infant, Periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhages