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Sub-Category:

Neurological Conditions in Preterm Infants

Number of Conditions: 1

Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH)

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Neonatal Conditions (Newborns)

Sub-category: Neurological Conditions in Preterm Infants

Symptoms:
apnea; bradycardia; lethargy; poor muscle tone; seizures; bulging fontanelle; pale skin; weak cry

Root Cause:
Bleeding into the brain's ventricular system, often due to fragile blood vessels in the developing brain of preterm infants.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Cranial ultrasound or MRI to detect bleeding in the ventricles of the brain.

Treatment:
Supportive care, monitoring intracranial pressure, and surgical interventions (e.g., ventriculoperitoneal shunt) for hydrocephalus if needed.

Medications:
No direct medications for IVH; supportive therapies include diuretics (e.g., furosemide ) for hydrocephalus and anticonvulsants (e.g., phenobarbital ) for seizures.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Occurs in 20–50% of infants born before 32 weeks gestation.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Prematurity, very low birth weight, birth trauma, respiratory distress, and maternal infection.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Mild cases may resolve without long-term issues; severe cases can lead to hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy, or developmental delays.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, and developmental delays.