DefinitionIntraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) of the newborn is bleeding into the fluid-filled areas (ventricles) surrounded by the brain. The condition is most often seen in premature babies.Alternative NamesIVH - newbornCauses, incidence, and risk factorsInfants born before 30 weeks of pregnancy are at highest risk for such bleeding. The smaller and more premature the infant, the higher the risk for IVH. This is because blood vessels in the brain of premature infants are not yet fully developed and are extremely fragile. The blood vessels grow stronger after 30 weeks of pregnancy.IVH is more common in premature babies who have had physical stress, such as respiratory distress syndrome, pneumothorax, or high blood pressure. The condition may also occur in healthy premature babies who were b