Search

The evaluation of intracranial hemorrhage in the newborn is of major importance because much of the neurological morbidity associated with perinatal events, especially in the premature infant, occurs in the context of intracranial hemorrhage. Four major varieties of intracranial hemorrhage are recognized in the newborn, namely, subdural hemorrhage (SDH), primary subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), intracerebellar hemorrhage and periventricularintraventricular hemorrhage (PVH-IVH). Subdural hemorrhage is a clinically serious lesion, though now relatively uncommon because of advances in obstetrical care. Primary subarachnoid hemorrhage is common, though rarely clinically serious. In tracerebellar hemorrhage is a clinically serious lesion, though relatively uncommon. In contrast to these other three varieties of intracranial hemorrhage, PVH-IVH is both a common and a clinically serious lesion. Because of these considerations and because cranial ultrasonography has had its greatest impact in the evaluation of PVHIVH, we will emphasize this disorder in the current review. Below we will review briefly the incidence, neuropathology and pathogenesis of PVH-IVH and then discuss in detail the role of cranial ultrasonography in the evaluation of this and related neonatal disorders. Curriculum vitae