Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Modeling Neonatal Intraventricular Hemorrhage Through Intraventricular Injection of Hemoglobin
07:57

Modeling Neonatal Intraventricular Hemorrhage Through Intraventricular Injection of Hemoglobin

Published on: August 25, 2022

Male gender is associated with intraventricular hemorrhage

Mohamed A Mohamed1, Hany Aly

  • 1George Washington University Medical Center, Newborn Services, 900 23rd St NW, Suite G-2092, Washington, DC 20037, USA. mmohamed@mfa.gwu.edu

Pediatrics
|January 20, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Very low birth weight (VLBW) male newborns have a higher risk of developing intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and severe IVH compared to females. However, the risk for periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) does not differ by gender.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) are significant causes of neurological morbidity in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.
  • Understanding risk factors, such as gender, is crucial for targeted prevention and management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between infant gender and the occurrence of IVH or PVL in a large cohort of VLBW infants.
  • To determine if gender influences the severity of IVH.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of the National Inpatient Sample database (1997-2004) including over 100,000 VLBW infants (<1500g).
  • Exclusion of infants with major congenital anomalies.
  • Statistical analysis using chi-squared tests, Fisher's exact tests, and logistic regression to identify gender-associated risks for IVH and PVL, controlling for confounders.

Main Results:

  • VLBW male infants showed a significantly higher incidence of IVH (15.9% vs 13.6%) and severe IVH (38% vs 32.7%) compared to females, even after adjusting for confounders (AOR 1.15 for IVH, AOR 1.18 for severe IVH).
  • The association between male gender and increased IVH risk was observed across different birth weight subgroups (<1000g and 1000-1499g) and was more pronounced in infants with higher birth weights (1000-1499g).
  • The incidence of PVL was low (0.41%) and did not significantly differ between male and female VLBW infants (0.38% vs 0.43%).

Conclusions:

  • Male gender is an independent risk factor for developing IVH and severe IVH in VLBW infants.
  • The increased risk of IVH associated with male gender is more significant in VLBW infants with higher birth weights.
  • Gender does not appear to be a risk factor for PVL in the VLBW population.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Intracranial Pressure Monitoring In Nontraumatic Intraventricular Hemorrhage Rodent Model08:18

Intracranial Pressure Monitoring In Nontraumatic Intraventricular Hemorrhage Rodent Model

Published on: February 8, 2022

Pre-Chiasmatic, Single Injection of Autologous Blood to Induce Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in a Rat Model09:14

Pre-Chiasmatic, Single Injection of Autologous Blood to Induce Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in a Rat Model

Published on: June 18, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction01:17

Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction

A hemorrhagic stroke is an acute neurological event that occurs when a weakened cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to accumulate within or around the brain. The sudden release of blood forms a focal hematoma that increases intracranial pressure, displaces neural tissue, and can obstruct cerebrospinal fluid pathways. These effects may be compounded by intraventricular extension of the hemorrhage, cerebral edema, or compression of adjacent structures, all of which contribute to...
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to escape into the surrounding brain tissue, as in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or into the subarachnoid space, as in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because the skull is a rigid compartment, the sudden presence of extravascular blood rapidly increases intracranial pressure and compresses adjacent neural structures, leading to immediate tissue injury and impaired cerebral perfusion.Mass Effect and Primary...
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...
Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction01:14

Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction

Intracranial hypertension is a sustained elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) above 22 mm Hg. In supine adults, normal ICP is ~7–15 mm Hg.The rigid, nonexpandable cranium contains three components—brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—that total ~1,700 mL in a typical adult: 1,400 mL brain (~80%), 150 mL blood (~10%), and 150 mL CSF (~10%). According to the Monro–Kellie doctrine, total intracranial volume is effectively fixed. When one component expands, CSF and venous blood...