Preventing periventricular haemorrhage

Abstract 

Over the past two decades, the incidence of periventricular haemorrhage has decreased dramatically, mainly related to the introduction of endogenous surfactant and the use of antenatal steroids in preterm labour. Despite this, periventricular haemorrhage remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in premature infants. As most occur within the first hours of birth, any intervention needs to be aimed at the late antenatal period or very early postnatal period. Many drug therapies have been tried such as vitamin K, vitamin E, ethamsylate, phenobarbital, indomethacin and tranexamic acid, as well as the use of fresh frozen plasma, late cord clamping and early volume expansion. At the present time, there is insufficient evidence to recommend any specific treatment for the prophylaxis of periventricular haemorrhage in the neonatal unit.

Keywords: periventricular, haemorrhage, intraventricular, haemorrhage, cerebral haemorrhage, infant newborn, infant very low birthweight, infant preterm, prevention

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