Causes & Risk Factors
Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH)
Intraventricular hemorrhage is bleeding into the brain's ventricles, a leading cause of hydrocephalus, especially in premature infants.
In short: Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH)
- It is bleeding into the ventricular system.
- It is common in premature infants.
- It can cause hydrocephalus by impairing CSF flow and absorption.
- It is graded by severity, with higher grades carrying more risk.
What it is
Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is bleeding into the ventricles of the brain. It is a particularly important cause of hydrocephalus in premature infants, but it can also occur in other settings.
Understanding Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH)
In premature babies, IVH often originates from fragile blood vessels in a region called the germinal matrix. Blood in the ventricles can impair CSF flow and absorption — by causing scarring, clogging the pathways, or obstructing the channels — leading to post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus. IVH is graded by severity (commonly grades I through IV), with higher grades carrying a greater risk of hydrocephalus and other complications. Babies with IVH are monitored closely, including with head ultrasound and head circumference measurements, to detect developing hydrocephalus.
Why it matters
Understanding IVH helps families see why premature infants are monitored for hydrocephalus, since bleeding into the ventricles can disrupt CSF flow and absorption. Recognizing developing hydrocephalus early allows timely treatment.
Common questions
What is intraventricular hemorrhage?
Bleeding into the brain's ventricles.
Who is at risk?
Premature infants, in particular.
How does it cause hydrocephalus?
By impairing CSF flow and absorption.
Bottom line
Intraventricular hemorrhage is bleeding into the ventricles, a leading cause of hydrocephalus in premature infants.
Browse all 265 Hydrocephalus definitions
Read the Hydrocephalus patient guides
Not sure which page you need? Put words to it with the symptom navigator