The sequelae of periventricular haemorrhage

Periventricular haemorrhage (PVH) is a common condition in very immature babies. It has attracted much attention because it is easy to diagnose using real-time ultrasound and, as a result, its prominence in causing subsequent severe neurodevelopmental problems has been overestimated. The majority of babies with PVH are not damaged, but a number of sequelae of this condition can predict adverse outcome in later years if the baby survives. The distinction between PVH and other forms of neuropathology that affect the immature brain makes disentangling the effects of haemorrhage alone difficult. This review attempts to separate out the significance of PVH from other lesions such as periventricular leukomalacia.