today as part of our premature babies special needs looks at brain function after a brain bleed in the very early baby born premature.
lets take a look more closely at brain bleeds in the premature baby.
Why ?
Babies of less than 30 weeks are more at risk of having a brain bleed or IVH a bleeding into the brain’s ventricular system, where the cerebrospinal fluid is produced.It effects premature babies because of certain risk factors 1 being the severe immaturity of the developing baby in particular babies circulation.plus the trauma of premature birth low Apgar score, breathing problems and a few others.
Small bleeds are quite common in premature babies doctors expect the majority to resolve with few long term problems
Grade I – a premature baby has bleeding occurring just in the germinal matrix.
Grade II – bleeding also occurs inside the ventricles of premature babies.
Grade III – premature babies can develop ventricles that become enlarged by the blood.
Grade IV – the premature baby has bleeding into the brain tissues around the ventricles.
Premature infants with moderate to severe IVH Intraventricular Haemorrage a grade 3–4 are at high risk of post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy and mental retardation, while premature infants with mild IVH 1-2 grade are at risk of developmental disabilities
Approx 45–85% of premature infants with moderate-to-severe IVH develop major cognitive deficits and approximately 75% of these infants need special education in school.
A brain bleed can effect babies blood, high blood pressure and may need a ventilator to assist with breathing.
A premature baby under 30 weeks will undergo a brain scan to see if a brain bleed has taken place approximately 7-14 days after birth.
click on link below to see how these conditions can effect premature babies in the long term outcome
post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus