Intraventricular Haemorrhage Complicated by Hydrocephalus in an Acutely Encephalopathic Preterm Infant

Intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) is characterized by bleeding of the immature subependymal germinal matrix in preterm infants, but the pathogenesis is multifactorial. IVH and posthaemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) are common causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality among preterm infants. We describe a preterm male infant who was born clinically stillbirth; became moderately severe encephalopathic. He had bilateral IVH (III right and IV left) with consequent PHH. His incredible outcome following a stormy perinatal period appears intriguing. Long-term follow-up is needed to evaluate the severity of deficits as he matures. Whether therapeutic cooling would have made a difference or not is debatable.