Intraventricular Hemorrhage in the Premature Neonate

Abstract

THE MOST COMMON VARIETY of neonatal intracranial hemorrhage is an intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH).1Although much research has been conducted concerning the etiology and prevention of IVH in the preterm infant, the problem continues to plague very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (<1,500 grams) in particular. The risk of IVH correlates inversely with gestational age. The incidence of hemorrhage in the infant <28 weeks gestation is three times that of infants 28–31 weeks gestational age. The incidence of severe hemorrhage in infants <28 weeks gestational age istwicethat of infants 28–31 weeks gestational age.2