Ventricular dilation preceding rapid head growth following neonatal intracranial hemorrhage

We describe two patients in whom ventricular dilation began within a week of neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage and preceded rapid head growth and clinical signs of increased intracranial pressure by days to weeks. The posthemorrhagic ventricular dilation is readily demonstrated in the neonatal period by computerized tomography of the cranium. These data indicate the importance of careful follow-up of survivors of intraventricular hemorrhage, early demonstration of ventricular dilation and prompt therapeutic intervention to prevent brain injury.