CONTENT
What is Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL)
What causes PVL
How do you know a baby has PVL
How is PVL diagnosed
Are there long-term problems
What can I do as a parent
WHAT IS PERIVENTRICULAR LEUKOMALACIA (PVL)
1. Periventricular Leukomalacia is a form of brain injury in preterm babies.
2. When PVL develops, cysts (closed sacs) appear in the brain.
1. PVL is caused by a decreased blood supply to the baby’s brain.
2. The most common causes of PVL include:
a. Infection
b. Asphyxia (lack of a blood supply to the brain)
c. Hemorrhage
d. Seizures
e. Increased blood sugar
f. Decreased blood pressure (BP)
g. Hypoxia events (decreased oxygen supply to the brain)
1. Some babies will have limited symptoms; instead they have events during their hospitalization that causes the physicians & nurse practitioners to evaluate them for PVL
2. Other babies may have:
a. Decreased tone in their lower extremities (legs & feet)
b. Increased irritability (fretful, restless, crying a lot)
c. Seizures (rare)
There are several tests that can be done to diagnose PVL and to find out how it is doing. These tests are:
1. Head Ultrasound
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Takes pictures of your baby’s brain using sound waves. |
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A sensor is placed over the baby’s soft spot on the head, sound waves measure the brain tissue and a picture is made. |
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This is like the ultrasound done on moms when they are pregnant. |
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This does not hurt your baby. He can be awake or asleep for the test |
2. CT or CAT SCAN: Stands for Computerized Axial Tomography. Uses a beam of x-ray to take pictures of the brain.
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Your baby will go inside a large machine and he must be still for the test. Often times your baby is given medicine to make him sleepy for the test. A nurse watches him very closely during the test. |
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This
test does not hurt your baby. |
3. MRI: Stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
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This test is similar to the CAT scanner except it uses magnetic rays instead of x-rays to take the pictures. |
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The baby must be very still for this test also; he is usually given medicine to make him sleepy for the test. |
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It does not hurt your baby. |
4. The doctor will decide if your baby needs any of these tests.
1. The long-term effects of PVL are related to the number and location of the cysts (closed sacs) in the baby’s brain.
2. Long-term problems vary widely from baby to baby.
3. Early diagnosis of PVL is important so follow-up care for your baby can be planned.
4. Most babies with PVL are referred to the NICUs Developmental Follow-Up clinic (Baby S.T.E.P.S) after discharge.
5. The physicians will talk with you about your baby and the follow-up care your baby will need after discharge.
1. Having PVL does not mean you cannot visit your baby. Please continue to visit your baby regularly and hold and talk to him/her.
2. The more involved you are with your baby the more comfortable you will be with him/her and the better the outcome.
Reviewed/Revised:
4/05, 4/07
