Intraventricular hemorrage in preterm infants

Abstract

Neonatal intraventricular hemorrage (IVH) is the main neurological complication in preterm infants involving bleeding into the germinal matrix and the periventricular brain areas. Its incidence and severity are greater with lower birthweigth: from 10-20% in 1.000-1.500 g babies to 70% in those less than 700 g. Most often (85%) it appears during the first 72 hours after birth and almost 95% of the cases are evident by the end of the first week of life. Many maternal and fetal risk factors are associated with the risk of neonatal IVH. Diferent pathogenic mechanisms associated with an immature central nervous system have been proposed to explain IVH. Clinical manifestations and evolution are variable. Transfontanelar cranial ultrasonography permits diagnosis, classification and prognosis of HIV. The main preventive intervention is the reduction of the frequency of preterm delivery; treatment with different drugs before and after delivery to prevent IVH has had variable results. Prognosis depends on the severity of IVH, the development of periventricular leukomalacia and ventriculomegaly.