Intraventricular hemorrhage of the newborn is bleeding inside and around the ventricles, the spaces in the brain containing the cerebral spinal fluid. This  condition  usually occurs in premature babies.

What causes intraventricular hemorrhage ?

Babies born more than 10 weeks early are at risk for this condition. This is because blood vessels in the brain of premature infants are not yet fully developed. As a result they are very fragile. The blood vessels grow stronger after 10 weeks.

IVH is for premature babies with :

• respiratory syndrome
• unstable blood pressure
• other medical conditions at birth

It may also occur in healthy premature babies. It is however rare in full term babies. IVH occurs in the first days of life and rarely after the first month of life, even in premature babies.

There are four types of IVH. These are called “grades”  depending on their size and location.

• Grades 1 and 2 involve a smaller amount of bleeding with few lasting problems.
• Grades 3 and 4 involve more severe bleeding. These can result in difficulties during your child’s stay in the hospital as well as problems  in the future.

What are the symptoms of IVH ?

There may be no symptoms associated with this condition. However premature babies usually experience the following :

• changes in blood pressure and heart rate
• apnea
• decreased reflexes
• excessive sleep
• decreased muscle tone
• lethargy
• weak suck
• seizures and other abnormal movements

How is IVH detected ?

Babies born before 30 weeks should have a head ultrasound. The test in done in 1 to 2 weeks of life. Babies born between 30 to 34 weeks may also have ultrasound screening if they are having symptoms of this condition.

A second screening may  be done around the time the baby was originally scheduled to be born.

How is intraventricular hemorrhage  bleeding treated ?

There is no way to stop bleeding associated with IVH. The health care team will just try to keep the baby stable and treat the symptoms. For example, the baby may be given blood transfusion to improve blood count and stabilize blood pressure.

If fluid builds up to the point where there is pressure on the brain, a spinal tab may be done to drain the fluid and to relief pressure. Surgery may be needed to place a shunt in the brain and drain fluid.

NOTE 

After a child has brain bleed, he may need to be monitored by the pediatrician or other specialists.  Some children may have seizures and others  may have developmental delays such as speech or learning delays. If your child has developmental delays, there are early intervention services available to help your child. Talk to your doctor.