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SUMMARY The detection of the onset of intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) during life is a necessary preliminary to understanding the cause of this condition. In 10 infants of very low birthweight treated with serial transfusions of adult blood the proportions of transfused cells circulating after each transfusion were compared with the proportion of transfused cells found in the intraventricular clot at necropsy. This allowed the timing of IVH to be restricted retrospectively to the period between consecutive blood transfusions. In addition, the proportional changes of transfused cells produced by infusion of a known red cell mass allow changes in the babies' original red cell mass to be followed during life. A fall in this value occurred in 8 infants dying with IVH and was taken to indicate haemorrhage. Comparison of the two methods in 9 infants suggested that, while in some cases intraventricular bleeding occurs rapidly, in others it takes place over a period of time. The interval between birth and the onset of haemorrhage was directly proportional to the gestational age of the infant.

SUMMARY Continuous measurements of arterial pressures, heart rates, respiratory movements, and respiratory rates were made from birth in 44 infants at risk from intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH). 17 babies died with IVH, in 10 of whom the event was timed objectively. Events in these babies were compared with survivors of similar birthweights, gestational ages, severity of birth asphyxia, and severity of hyaline membrane disease (HMD). IVH followed severe HMD and was associated with cessation of the babies' own respiratory efforts while on a ventilator and also with characteristic cardiorespiratory events. The minimum arterial pressure before IVH was lower than in comparable babies who survived. It is suggested that fluctuations of systemic blood pressure from initial low levels may be important in the pathogenesis of IVH. It is possible that changes in cerebral blood flow are of even greater significance.

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Continuous measurements of arterial pressures, heart rates, respiratory movements, and respiratory rates were made from birth in 44 infants at risk from intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH). 17 babies died with IVH, in 10 of whom the event was timed objectively. Events in these babies were compared with survivors of similar birthweights, gestational ages, severity of birth asphyxia, and severity of hyaline membrane disease (HMD). IVH followed severe HMD and was associated with cessation of the babies' own respiratory efforts while on a ventilator and also with characteristic cardiorespiratory events. The minimum arterial pressure before IVH was lower than in comparable babies who survived. It is suggested that fluctuations of systemic blood pressure from initial low levels may be important in the pathogenesis of IVH. It is possible that changes in cerebral blood flow are of even greater significance.