What is the most common cause of intracranial hemorrhage in premature neonates?

The most common cause of intracranial hemorrhage in premature neonates is periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage (PVH-IVH). This condition primarily affects preterm infants because their blood vessels, particularly those in the periventricular region of the brain, are inherently more fragile and prone to rupture. The risk of PVH-IVH is significantly heightened in infants born before 32 weeks of gestation.

Periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage occurs when bleeding happens near the ventricles and can extend into the ventricles themselves. In the context of prematurity, factors such as fluctuations in blood pressure, hypoxia, and the immaturity of the brain's vascular structure contribute to the vulnerability of these infants to hemorrhage. Recognition and understanding of PVH-IVH are crucial, as it can lead to long-term neurological impairments in affected neonates.

In contrast, while subdural hemorrhages, cerebral hemorrhages, and caput succedaneum can occur in neonates for various reasons, they are not as common as PVH-IVH in the context of premature birth. Subdural hemorrhages are usually associated with trauma, cerebral hemorrhages are less common than PVH