Periventricular Leukomalacia

Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) involves injury to the brain. Although all babies can be affected, premature babies are at an increased risk of developing the disease. The more premature a baby, the greater his or her risk of developing PVL.

PVL is caused by a lack of oxygen or blood flow to the periventricular area of the brain when the baby is a fetus in the womb, at delivery, or during the first days of life. This may result in the death or loss of brain tissue. The periventricular area contains important nerve fibers that carry messages from the brain to the muscles of the body. Babies with PVL are at an increased risk for motor disorders, delayed mental development, coordination problems, and vision and hearing impairments. PVL may be accompanied by a hemorrhage or bleeding in the brain and also may lead to cerebral palsy.

Experts at UCSF Children's Hospital care for infants with PVL in the William H. Tooley Intensive Care Nursery.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated May 8, 2007