Antenatal diagnosis of fetal intraventricular hemorrhage: systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Preterm germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage (GMH-IVH) grading can be applied to fetuses. Almost all the currently known risk factors for GMH-IVH pertain to the extra-uterine environment and its effect on the immature brain, and studying in utero GMH-IVH presents a unique opportunity to better understand the pathophysiology of GMH-IVH distinct from the stressors imposed by preterm delivery. Exclusion criteria Cases were excluded if they were duplicates, had a postnatal diagnosis of GMH-IVH only, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) secondary to extension of parenchymal hemorrhage or tumor, or insufficient information to confirm GMH-IVH such as specification only of intracranial hemorrhage without specifying the site. Grade III was defined as GMH-IVH with hydrocephalus or ventricular dilatation as described by the authors; it was not always possible to distinguish between acute dilatation that is a criteria for grade III hemorrhage, and post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilation which can occur after any grade of hemorrhage. Term defined as 37 weeks gestational age or greater. gl Hydrocephalus and postnatal surgical intervention Hydrocephalus was present in 0 out of 27 out of those with grade I/II GMH-IVH, 100 out of 100 of those with grade III, and 89 out of 93 (96%) of those with PVHI. [Extracted from the article]