Intraventricular Hemorrhage

Intraventricular Hemorrhage Overview

An intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a specific type of bleed in the brain. It affects infants born 10 or more weeks premature. Because the blood vessels reach full maturity in the last 10 weeks of gestation, infants are susceptible to damage when exposed to the outside world too early.

Trauma that occurs during the delivery process or shortly thereafter can also cause IVH. The consequences of the bleed depend on a variety of factors, including how much blood is lost and the location of the damage.

 

What Is An Intraventricular Hemorrhage?

When IVH occurs, the blood vessels of the brain bleed into nearby ventricles. The bleeding may come from either the arteries or the veins. The arterial form of IVH is more difficult to control due to the size of the vessel and the rate at which the blood flows.

IVH can interfere with both the mental and physical development of a child, and it can affect different parts of the brain. There are four distinct yet interconnected ventricles in the brain. Each one helps to produce and circulate spinal fluid. There are several different grades and forms of IVH, ranging from the relatively harmless to the extremely severe.

The more severe types of IVH can lead to swelling within the brain, known as a hematoma. IVH isn’t normally discovered at the moment of birth, but is often revealed a few days later. Once the child turns a month old, the chance of a bleed due to frail blood vessels is much smaller. IVH that occurs after this age is typically caused by some type of head injury.

 

What Are The Four Grades Of IVH?

Each grade of IVH indicates some type of bleeding, though the effects vary based on the amount of blood lost.

Grade 1: Bleeding occurs only in the germinal matrix (sometimes referred to as a germinal matrix hemorrhage). The germinal matrix is a complex and sensitive system of ventricles that can become easily damaged by even a short deprivation of air or the presence of pressure.

Grade 2: Bleeding happens inside the ventricles.

Grade 3: The ventricles become larger due to the excess amount of blood.

Grade 4: The bleeding enlarges the ventricles and escapes into the surrounding brain tissue. This form of IVH is sometimes called an intraparenchymal hemorrhage.

The brain is designed to handle a certain amount of trauma, and infants are resilient to a number of risks, even when born premature. Typically, the first two grades of IVH do not cause lasting damage unless the child is born extremely early. The latter grades can significantly damage the child and potentially lead to cerebral palsy. IVH can also cause hydrocephalus, which can mean lifelong spinal problems.

When there’s too much blood in the brain, as in the case of hematoma, the body will stop the bleeding through clots. These clots can ultimately block the flow of blood, causing a buildup of fluids. In the case of IVH, the clots block the spinal fluid that should be moving toward the column to assist in regular movement and flexibility.

IVH typically occurs in premature babies, but it has been known to happen in full-term babies too. It’s important to note that there is no way for doctors to stop the bleeding, but there are measures that may help in the early stages.

A blood transfusion can correct the blood pressure and ensure the child has enough liters in his or her system to keep the heart beating. Or the doctor may drain the excess fluid using a shunt in the brain, thereby freeing up space for the tissue and ventricles to do their jobs.

 

What Are The Risk Factors Associated With IVH?

Some factors are more heavily associated with IVH, though it’s important for parents to know all risk factors for preventative and proactive reasons alike.

• Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS): Premature lungs can lack surfactant, which keeps the lungs full of air and the air sacs inflated. RDS may also occur due to the mother’s health, or a genetic disorder.
  Ventilator use: Infants born too early are often placed on ventilators. Even when medical professionals are careful, sometimes the breathing can become out of sync, which can place too much pressure on the vessels.
• Unstable blood pressure: Elevated blood pressure increases the chance of excessive bleeding from the fragile arteries and arterioles (tiny blood vessels). There doesn’t appear to be an exact threshold in terms of blood pressure numbers to indicate danger in infants, but it can be aggravated by conditions such as maternal diabetes.
• Head injury or shaken baby syndrome: Children who are exposed to trauma are more likely to experience brain damage due to IVH.
• Maternal health: Blood pressure, the presence of infection, and placental blood clots can all play a role in IVH. While certain risk factors (e.g., maternal smoking, rapid delivery, and breech birth) do not cause bleeding within the brain, they can cause a premature birth or emergency labor that can then lead to damage within the vessels of the infant.

What Are The Signs Of A Hemorrhage?

Infants may or may not exhibit symptoms. Your doctor should be vigilant about checking for signs of IVH if your child was born 10 weeks premature or more. Possible indicators include:

• Breathing troubles: Infants who are unable to take even breaths may have IVH. This is especially true if they have apnea or trouble breathing while asleep.
  Blue coloring: The child’s pallor can indicate how much blood is circulating. If the child appears to be blue, it may signify that blood is concentrated in his or her brain.
• Changes in heart rate: Checking your baby’s pulse can give you a good idea of the child’s blood pressure. Consult a professional if there are major changes from one test to the next.
• Fallen blood count: A bleed will cause the child’s count to decrease.
• Lack of muscle tone: The spinal fluid plays a major role in development, so pay attention to the definition in your child’s muscles.
• Lack of reflexes: If your child is having trouble reacting to different stimuli, it could be a sign of IVH.
• Excess sleeping or general lethargy: Newborns should sleep about 17 hours a day. If they constantly appear tired or are difficult to wake, it could mean the brain needs to conserve energy due to an IVH.
• Weak suck: Similar to reflex development, a weak suck during feedings may be a cause for alarm.
• Seizures or jerky movements: Children with cerebral palsy and similar disabilities have very distinct involuntary movements. Abnormal eye movements and a shrill, painful-sounding cry are also symptoms of IVH.

 

What Are The Forms Of IVH?

Several forms of IVH exist. They include:

INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE

This type of hemorrhage signifies that more bilirubin is in the blood than necessary. A normal amount of this compound ensures that specific waste, such as aged cells, is broken down appropriately. The bleed usually occurs in the tissues that connect the hemispheres of the brain. Here, it will disrupt communication and potentially lead to respiratory issues such as a collapsed lung or long-term disabilities such as cerebral palsy.

When the infant is diagnosed with this form, doctors will find blood in the lateral ventricles of the brain. The causes are generally connected to fetal stroke, maternal infection, or some type of trauma during delivery or shortly thereafter, such as shaken baby syndrome. Hypertension in the mother and placental blood clots may all be potential factors as well. Generally, if an infant develops IVH despite being born full-term, it will be this form.

EPIDURAL HEMATOMA

An epidural hematoma occurs when the arteries and venous sinuses are ruptured, and it can happen in children as well as infants. Typically, this form of IVH is associated with a skull fracture, as a fracture is generally found in up to 90 percent of all cases. The rupturing can lead to the buildup of blood that eventually compresses the surrounding tissues and puts pressure on the matter within the brain. If left untreated, it can potentially result in death.

An epidural hematoma will almost exclusively be caused by some type of head trauma or accident, such as dropping the infant on his or her head. When an epidural hematoma occurs in older children, it’s normally the result of some type of fall. Doctors may recommend surgery for epidural hematoma to remove the pressure caused by the bleeding.

SUBDURAL HEMATOMA

This form of IVH is also associated with trauma, though the effects can be even more severe than an epidural hematoma. The bleeding is typically rapid and excessive, meaning the compression happens far faster and is more severe. It is generally brought upon by a trauma such as child abuse or a difficult delivery. Symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, or a bulging soft spot.

The child may appear irritable or exhibit a general personality change after the bleed occurs. In the case of abuse, the child may immediately lose consciousness. Or the signs may only be fever, headaches or neck stiffness. Parents should also look for dilated pupils, seizures, and vomiting. It is possible to survive a subdural hematoma, but the chance of a full recovery is rare. There is typically always some type of irreversible brain damage due to the severity of the bleed.

SUBARACHNOID HEMATOMA

This type of IVH happens after birth trauma and affects the veins and membranes that surround the brain of the infant. The subarachnoid space serves as a protective, cushion-like area between the actual brain and the tissues that surround it. A subarachnoid hematoma generally causes seizures within the first two days of the trauma. Other signs may be a stiff neck or a general sense of lethargy.

Bleeds can be detected via CT scan, though it’s possible the doctor will also do a lumbar puncture to ensure there is no meningitis. In addition to a difficult delivery, a subarachnoid hematoma may also be caused by child abuse, such as shaken baby syndrome. Time is of the essence if you see any type of signs that may point to this condition.

INTRACEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE

The brain can absorb a certain amount of force during a head trauma. However, when the brain can’t handle the impact, an intracerebral hemorrhage can occur. In this case, the bleeding happens between the brain and the skull when blood vessels burst. Lasting damage happens if there is excess bleeding that also contains cerebrospinal fluid. Generally, this will occur in the front part of the temporal lobe or the back part of the frontal lobe in the brain.

It’s unusual to see this type of injury in small children, but it has been known to happen. Unfortunately, the symptoms can be almost nonexistent, and seemingly minor head bumps can cause it. Surgery is often necessary as soon as possible to alleviate the pressure or lasting damage is likely.

 

How Do These Forms Affect Children With Cerebral Palsy?

IVH is one of several risk factors for cerebral palsy. Each child reacts differently to each condition, and effects are generally dependent on the severity of the bleed, the force of the trauma, and the amount of time it takes to get the child proper medical attention. The more damage to the arteries, ventricles, or veins, the more likely it is that the child will develop more severe cerebral palsy symptoms.