P52.0: Intraventricular (nontraumatic) haemorrhage, grade 1, of fetus and newborn

The brain is located inside the head. It receives, processes and stores sensory impressions. The brain controls movements and various physical functions. There are cavities with cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, around the brain and around the spinal cord. Among other things, the cerebrospinal fluid cushions the brain and spinal cord during knocks and also nourishes the brain cells.

Bleeding around the cavities filled with spinal fluid particularly occurs in premature babies. A birth is premature if the child is born before the end of the 37th week of pregnancy. The child's brain and the blood vessels in its head are then not properly developed and they are particularly sensitive. As a result, bleeding can occur more easily, for example if the child's blood pressure rises or drops. The bleeding can spread to the cavities filled with spinal fluid.

However, babies that are not premature may also suffer bleeding around and in the cavities filled with spinal fluid. Bleeding may occur, for example, if there is a disorder in the child's blood clotting system. The purpose of clotting is to stop bleeds. Bleeding can also occur if a blood vessel in the head has been blocked by a blood clot.