Related Experiment Videos
Antenatal intraventricular haemorrhage
J D Corcoran1, A Hamilton, H L Halliday
1Royal Maternity Hospital, Belfast.
Insights
Severe intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) can occur in premature infants before labor begins. Unrecognized prenatal stress may cause these brain bleeds, impacting clinical and legal outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neurology
- Perinatal medicine
- Pediatric neurosurgery
Background:
- Germinal matrix-intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) is a known complication in premature infants.
- Severe IVH can occur even without other significant neonatal health issues.
Abstract:
Germinal matrix-intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) is a well described complication of premature birth. We present two infants with severe IVH in the absence of other serious neonatal illness. These lesions probably occurred antenatally and prior to the onset of labour. Unrecognised intrauterine stresses may cause intraventricular haemorrhagic or ischaemic lesions in the immature brain. Timing of these lesions is important for both clinical and indeed medico-legal reasons.