Periventricular leukomalacia: pathophysiological concerns due to immature development of the brain.
Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is a result of injury and necrosis of myelinated fibers around the lateral ventricles. PVL is now considered the principal form of brain injury in preterm infants. This injury can have long-term effects on physical, motor, sensory, cognitive, and social development. Some proposed pharmacological treatments being considered to aid in prevention of this injury are raising concerns because they have failed to show evidence of efficacy or have potential for deleterious long-term effects. Current treatment is aimed at injury prevention; therefore, nurses play a critical role. Awareness of the pathophysiologic concerns about preterm neonates can help nurses focus their assessments to identify patients at risk.
Roscigno
Cecelia I
CI
Nursing Program, University of Washington, Seattle, USA. graymtr@u.washington.edu
D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000196:embryology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007969:Leukomalacia, Periventricular / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy