Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL) is a condition that causes damage to the white matter of the brain. Premature babies are at a higher risk for this condition. PVL causes problems with motor movements, and it can also lead to cerebral palsy in some patients. There is no cure for this disease, but there are treatments that can be beneficial to the daily lives of patients with PVL.
Babies with a mild case of PVL might not display any symptoms. Some children begin to display symptoms over time. It is most common for PVL symptoms to start to show up when babies are between six and nine months of age. The most common symptoms of PVL are:
The causes of PVL are not well understood. PVL is linked with a lack of oxygen to the brain during delivery or prior to birth. There are other health conditions that seem to put babies at risk for PVL. These conditions are brain bleeds, the early breaking of the amniotic sac during or preceding birth, and the mother having an infection in her uterus before delivery of the baby.
A full medical history is taken on patients who might have PVL. There are various other related conditions that can show up as a result of PVL as well. Diagnosing all the associated health conditions related to PVL is as important as diagnosing the PVL itself.
PVL is often diagnosed through the use of MRI imaging. Head ultrasounds can also provide evidence of damage to the tissue in the brain. These patients often have cysts or hollow places in their brains, which show up using these two kinds of imaging tests.
There is no cure for PVL. Treatment for this condition is focused on improving the quality of life of patients affected by it. Developmental delays and other challenges might become increasingly difficult to manage for some patients. These related problems to PVL will often require a variety of different specialists for treatment.
Many patients will need help from assistive devices and will need supportive care from physical therapists, speech therapists, and occupational therapy. There are various medications that might be helpful for this condition as well.
It is not usually possible to reduce your child’s risk of PVL. This condition is poorly understood and requires more study to know if there is any way to prevent PVL from happening.