Join Our Community!
Conditions and Diseases > Neurological Disorders Forum > Periventricular Leukomalacia
Welcome to the eHealth Conditions and Diseases Community connecting patients, doctors, and people who like to help.
For more information about Neurological Disorders, read the topics below or use our FREE Ask a Doctor service!
Ask a Doctor
Avatar
Q: Periventricular Leukomalacia
asked by: DoctorQuestion on April 1st, 2008
Doctor Question
I have a 14 month old male baby (premature - 7 months). He have periventricular luckomalacia and dipligic CP. His head is not controlled. we do the physiotherapy. but the head is not controlled well. DOctor please answer.


Did you find this post useful?
|


Replies(1)
User Profile
DoctorAnswer replied on April 9th, 2008
Doctor Answer
Neurological Disorders Answer A3906
Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is a type of brain injury that affects infants. The condition includes death of small areas of brain tissue around fluid-filled areas called ventricles.
PVL is caused by changes in the blood flow in the area around the ventricles of the brain. This area is fragile and prone to injury, especially before 32 weeks of gestation. Premature babies have high risk for getting PVL.


PVL can be manifested with motor disorders (paralyses and difficult movements such as sitting, crawling, walking, and moving the arms), delayed mental development, coordination problems, and vision and hearing impairments. Children with PVL have higher levels of nystagmus, strabismus, optic nerve hypoplasia and refractive error. PVL may be accompanied by a hemorrhage or bleeding in the periventricular-intraventricular area (the area around and inside the ventricles), and can lead to cerebral palsy.


This condition can be diagnosed with ultrasound scan and MRI imaging.


There is no treatment for PVL because necrotized brain tissue can’t be regenerated. Physiotherapy is used to enable the remaining brain reserves that are not damaged but need to be awakened. Condition of the other systems (lungs, heart, intestines, kidneys…) should be regularly monitored.





DISCLAIMER: "Ask a Doctor" Questions are answered by family doctors who practice medicine for the general public. For more information about eHealthForum.com medical experts, please visit our About Us page. You may also visit our Neurological Disorders Forum, for moderated patient to patient support and information.

The material presented in the eHealth Forum Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified licensed medical professional. eHealth Forum and eHealth Forum's Ask A Doctor advises all users with health problems and concerns to consult their personal doctors. Furthermore, if you have any questions or concerns about your condition, you must consult your qualified licenseced medical professional before starting any treatment.

The materials in the eHealth Forum Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. To the fullest extent possible, eHealth Forum and eHealth Forum's Ask A Doctor expressly excludes all liability in respect of the information and opinions contained in the Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor, this Web site, or any sites linked to this Web site.
Did you find this post useful?
|
 
Jump to: