P52.2: Intraventricular (nontraumatic) haemorrhage, grade 3, and grade 4 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 in the brain around and in the cavities filled with spinal fluid can particularly occur 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.

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.

As a result of the bleeding, spinal fluid can collect in the skull. If a lot of cerebrospinal fluid collects in the skull, the pressure in the skull can increase. There may then be a variety of indications. The child may be restless and scream, for example. It may vomit. And you may be able to feel a bulging fontanelle on the child's head. Fontanelles are soft spots between the skull bones that, over time, turn into bone. There may also be no external indications of a bleed.