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Health Information For Parents
An intraventricular hemorrhage (in-treh-ven-TRIK-yeh-ler HEM-er-idge) is bleeding in and around the brain’s ventricles. The ventricles are spaces in the brain filled with cerebral spinal fluid.
Doctors use grades to classify an intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), from grade 1 to 4. Grades are based on the amount and location of bleeding in the brain. A grade 1 or grade 2 IVH can be mild and cause few or no problems. Grade 3 and grade 4 IVHs have more bleeding and can be very serious.
Babies with a minor IVH often have no symptoms. Babies who have an IVH with more serious bleeding can have:
Babies who are born early are more likely to develop an IVH. Those born very early or who are very small are at greatest risk.
Blood vessels in babies born very early are not fully developed. Problems from an early birth — such as low oxygen levels, changes in blood pressure, and breathing problems — can damage these fragile blood vessels, making them leak.
Other reasons a baby might get an IVH include:
Most IVHs happen within the first few days of life. Doctors use an ultrasound scan of the head to diagnose the problem when a baby:
There is no specific treatment for an IVH. Newborns who have one are cared for in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). A team of experts, including nurses and doctors who specialize in newborn care, will watch for and treat any problems related to the IVH and early birth.
A baby with severe IVH may develop hydrocephalus, a buildup of extra fluid in the brain’s ventricles. Doctors will do head ultrasounds regularly to look for this problem. To drain the fluid and relieve pressure in the brain if it does happen, doctors can:
Most babies with a mild IVH do well. Babies born very early or who have a more severe IVH are at risk for cerebral palsy, seizures, developmental delays, and learning problems.
Preventing premature birth is the best way to prevent an intraventricular hemorrhage. Doctors can give steroid medicines to pregnant women who are likely to deliver their babies early. Steroids help the baby’s lungs mature and decrease the chances of an IVH. Delayed cord clamping at delivery also may help prevent it.
If your baby is born early, reach out to the NICU team for support. They are there to help your baby and you. You also can find support and information online at:
Many things can cause a baby to be born early or with health problems. Some of these things can be controlled, but others can’t. Find out what you can do to have a healthy pregnancy.
It’s best for babies not to be born before they’re due. Learn what you can do to prevent early labor.
For some newborns, the first few breaths of life may be faster and more labored than normal because of a lung condition called transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN).
Some women are more likely than others to go into labor early. Find out what doctors can do to help prevent or delay early labor.
Doctors order head ultrasounds when there’s a concern about neurological problems in an infant.
Premature infants, known as preemies, come into the world earlier than full-term infants. They have many special needs that make their care different from other babies.
If you’re about to begin caring for your preemie at home, try to relax. With some preparation and planning, you’ll be ready.
Sometimes when babies are born premature, they have trouble breathing. This can be caused by respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Learn what RDS is, and how babies can be helped.
Learn what a NICU visit will be like for your little one, what you can do to help, and how to find support for yourself.
If your baby is getting medical care in you NICU, find out who will be caring for your baby and how they can help.
Having a newborn in the NICU can be a stressful time. Often, parents forget to ask important questions. This list can help you prepare for the next time you talk to your baby’s care team.
Apnea of prematurity (AOP) is a condition in which premature infants stop breathing for 15 to 20 seconds during sleep. AOP usually goes away on its own as a baby matures.
Babies who are born prematurely or who experience respiratory problems shortly after birth are at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), sometimes called chronic lung disease.
