Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats
Published on: March 28, 2025
Grade IV fetal intracranial hemorrhage with good cognitive function
Erica T Ting1, Meredith R Golomb
1Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA.
Insights
A rare case of fetal intracranial hemorrhage (grade IV) diagnosed prenatally showed a positive outcome. Despite cerebral palsy, the child maintained normal cognition and verbal skills, highlighting the impact of perinatal care.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Obstetrics
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Prenatal diagnosis of fetal intracranial hemorrhage (FICH) is rare, with fewer than 200 reported cases.
- Grade IV FICH typically leads to severe impairments in surviving children, including cognitive deficits.
Observation:
- A case of grade IV FICH was diagnosed via ultrasound at 28 weeks gestation and confirmed with fetal MRI at 29 weeks.
- The patient developed hemiplegic cerebral palsy and required a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
Findings:
- Despite the severity of the hemorrhage, the child demonstrated normal cognitive function and excellent verbal abilities at 27 months.
- The patient did not experience seizures, which is a notable positive outcome.
Implications:
- This case suggests that intensive perinatal care may positively influence neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants with severe FICH.
- Further research into optimizing perinatal management strategies for FICH is warranted to improve long-term prognoses.
Abstract:
Fewer than 200 cases of prenatally diagnosed magnetic resonance imaging-confirmed fetal intracranial hemorrhage have been reported. Children surviving grade IV fetal intracranial hemorrhage usually manifest severe impairments, including mental retardation. We report on a child with a grade IV intracranial hemorrhage diagnosed by in utero ultrasound at 28 weeks of gestation, and confirmed by fetal magnetic resonance imaging at 29 weeks of gestation. At age 27 months, she has a ventriculoperitoneal shunt and exhibits hemiplegic cerebral palsy, but without seizures, and with normal cognitive function and excellent verbal ability. We discuss how perinatal care may have contributed to her good outcome.
Related Concept Videos
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction
Traumatic Brain Injury l: Introduction
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Aneurysm IV: Nursing Management
Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
