Intraventricular hemorrhage primarily occurs in which two groups of newborns?

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) primarily affects premature infants and low-birth-weight infants due to several physiological factors associated with their development. Premature infants, especially those born before 32 weeks of gestation, have immature brain vasculature that is more susceptible to rupture due to fluctuations in blood pressure or oxygenation, leading to bleeding into the ventricles of the brain. This risk is compounded in infants with low birth weight, as these infants often share the same vulnerability due to their underdeveloped status, further increasing the likelihood of IVH.

The precise mechanism involves the fragility of the germinal matrix, a region in the brain that is heavily vascularized and present at the time of premature birth. As the infant’s body transitions to extrauterine life, issues such as hypoxia, fluctuations in blood volume, and changes in blood pressure can precipitate bleeding in this area.

In contrast, term infants typically have more mature vascular systems and are at a significantly lower risk for IVH. Healthy infants, whether they are of standard weight or low birth weight but born at term, also do not encounter the same risk factors that contribute to IVH. Thus, the association is strongest with premature and low-birth-weight