Intraventricular hemorrhage and posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in the preterm infant. 2010

P Miranda
Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain. mirandalloret@yahoo.es

Intraventricular hemorrhage and posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus are the most important neurological complications in preterm infants during the neonatal period. The incidence of germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage widely ranges from 5% to 90%, depending on the population of study. Although the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage increases as the gestational age decreases, higher-grade hemorrhages occur more frequently in low-birth weight neonates. Infants with intraventricular hemorrhage or posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus often have poor neurodevelopmental outcomes such as seizure disorders, IQ problems, and severe motor handicaps. Several factors have been implicated in germinal matrix hemorrhage pathogenesis, including intravascular, vascular, and extravascular factors. Any situation leading to an alteration in the cerebral blood flow and/or central nervous system blood pressure may develop into a germinal matrix and intraventricular hemorrhage in the preterm infant. Diagnosis is often difficult to determine based on clinical criteria alone, but availability and information of cranial ultrasound studies are key to definite diagnosis. Modalities of treatment include drugs that decrease cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production and surgical interventions to transiently or permanently shunt CSF fluid. Permanent CSF shunts are nowadays the only proven treatment in cases of progressive posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus, although they are subjected to frequent complications. Prevention of prematurity itself is the key to decrease the number of shunt-dependent patients.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007231 Infant, Newborn An infant during the first 28 days after birth. Neonate,Newborns,Infants, Newborn,Neonates,Newborn,Newborn Infant,Newborn Infants
D007234 Infant, Premature A human infant born before 37 weeks of GESTATION. Neonatal Prematurity,Premature Infants,Preterm Infants,Infant, Preterm,Infants, Premature,Infants, Preterm,Premature Infant,Prematurity, Neonatal,Preterm Infant
D007235 Infant, Premature, Diseases Diseases that occur in PREMATURE INFANTS.
D002552 Cerebral Ventricles Four CSF-filled (see CEREBROSPINAL FLUID) cavities within the cerebral hemispheres (LATERAL VENTRICLES), in the midline (THIRD VENTRICLE) and within the PONS and MEDULLA OBLONGATA (FOURTH VENTRICLE). Foramen of Monro,Cerebral Ventricular System,Cerebral Ventricle,Cerebral Ventricular Systems,Monro Foramen,System, Cerebral Ventricular,Systems, Cerebral Ventricular,Ventricle, Cerebral,Ventricles, Cerebral,Ventricular System, Cerebral,Ventricular Systems, Cerebral
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006849 Hydrocephalus Excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the cranium which may be associated with dilation of cerebral ventricles, INTRACRANIAL HYPERTENSION; HEADACHE; lethargy; URINARY INCONTINENCE; and ATAXIA. Communicating Hydrocephalus,Congenital Hydrocephalus,Obstructive Hydrocephalus,Post-Traumatic Hydrocephalus,Aqueductal Stenosis,Cerebral Ventriculomegaly,Fetal Cerebral Ventriculomegaly,Hydrocephalus Ex-Vacuo,Hydrocephaly,Aqueductal Stenoses,Cerebral Ventriculomegalies,Cerebral Ventriculomegalies, Fetal,Cerebral Ventriculomegaly, Fetal,Fetal Cerebral Ventriculomegalies,Hydrocephalus Ex Vacuo,Hydrocephalus Ex-Vacuos,Hydrocephalus, Communicating,Hydrocephalus, Congenital,Hydrocephalus, Obstructive,Hydrocephalus, Post-Traumatic,Post Traumatic Hydrocephalus,Stenoses, Aqueductal,Stenosis, Aqueductal,Ventriculomegalies, Cerebral,Ventriculomegalies, Fetal Cerebral,Ventriculomegaly, Cerebral,Ventriculomegaly, Fetal Cerebral
D020300 Intracranial Hemorrhages Bleeding within the SKULL, including hemorrhages in the brain and the three membranes of MENINGES. The escape of blood often leads to the formation of HEMATOMA in the cranial epidural, subdural, and subarachnoid spaces. Brain Hemorrhage,Hemorrhage, Intracranial,Posterior Fossa Hemorrhage,Brain Hemorrhages,Hemorrhage, Brain,Hemorrhage, Posterior Fossa,Hemorrhages, Brain,Hemorrhages, Intracranial,Hemorrhages, Posterior Fossa,Intracranial Hemorrhage,Posterior Fossa Hemorrhages

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