The hazards of periventricular leukomalacia

We all know that every parent hopes to give birth to a healthy baby. However, after the baby is born, due to lack of oxygen, it is particularly easy to cause periventricular leukomalacia, which is also the most direct cause of cerebral palsy. It has a certain impact on the child's life and also causes a certain impact on the child's physical and mental health. So in order to avoid such symptoms, let's learn about the hazards of periventricular leukomalacia.

The dangers of periventricular leukomalacia

Periventricular Leuko-malacia (PVL) in children is a late change of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and the main cause of cerebral palsy (mainly spastic paraplegia or quadriplegia) in premature infants. PVL is a secondary leukoencephalopathy seen in premature infants and surviving children of postnatal asphyxia. Due to hypoxic-ischemic brain parenchyma damage, periventricular leukomalacia occurs, leading to bilateral spastic hemiplegia, quadriplegia, and mental retardation.

It is generally believed that PVL is related to ischemia, hypoxia and infection. PVL mainly damages axons and oligodendrocytes, but the pathogenesis is still unclear. PVL is more common in premature infants, which may be related to the different brain damage mechanisms at different developmental stages. Brain abnormalities in the early and middle stages of pregnancy are mostly developmental malformations, while those in the late stage (last 3 months) are mostly cerebrovascular changes.

The periventricular blood supply comes from the terminal arteries of the ventricular zone and the distal ventricular zone respectively. The collateral circulation of the deep branches of the terminal arteries of immature infants has not yet been established. This part is sensitive to ischemia and hypoxia at the beginning of the late pregnancy. The cortex is only affected when the lesion is very extensive. Therefore, PVL is more common in premature infants.

By the late stage to the end of pregnancy, collateral circulation has been established and the sensitive areas have changed to the cortex, subcortical white matter and basal ganglia. Ischemic and hypoxic brain damage in full-term infants is more common in the above-mentioned areas.

The above is an introduction to the hazards of periventricular leukomalacia. After understanding it, we know that such symptoms are particularly prone to cerebral palsy. In order to avoid such things, women must do a good prenatal check-up during pregnancy. In addition, they must maintain a happy mood throughout the pregnancy, pay attention to nutritional balance in diet, and consult a doctor in time if they feel unwell.