Periventricular leucomalacia in neonates. Complications and sequelae

Arch Dis Child. 1974 May;49(5):367-75. doi: 10.1136/adc.49.5.367.

Abstract

Periventricular leucomalacia was examined in a total of 28 infants. These foci of infarction were attributed to episodes of failure of perfusion due to hypotension in a border zone between ventriculofugal and ventriculopetal circulations. We describe haemorrhage occurring into these infarctions as a complication occurring in 7 infants. In 2 infants with a bleeding diathesis the haemorrhage was massive and fatal. Descending degeneration of the corticospinal tract was present as a sequel of a large area of periventricular leucomalacia in another case.

MeSH terms

  • Autopsy
  • Bilirubin / blood
  • Brain / pathology
  • Calcium / blood
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / pathology
  • Cerebral Ventricles / blood supply*
  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases
  • Humans
  • Hypotension / complications
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Newborn, Diseases / etiology
  • Infant, Newborn, Diseases / pathology*
  • Infarction / complications
  • Infarction / etiology
  • Infarction / pathology*
  • Male
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Bilirubin
  • Calcium