Periventricular leukomalacia

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PVL; Brain injury - infants

There is no treatment for PVL. The baby's heart, lung, intestine, and kidney functions will be monitored and treated so they remain as normal as possible.

PVL is frequently associated with neurological and developmental problems in growing babies, usually during the first to second year of life. It may lead to cerebral palsy (CP), especially spasticity (tightness, or increased muscle tone) in the legs.

Babies with PVL are at risk for significant neurological problems, especially those that involve movements such as sitting, crawling, walking, and moving the arms. Patients may need physical therapy.

A baby diagnosed with PVL should be monitored by a developmental pediatrician or a pediatric neurologist, in addition to the child's regular pediatrician.

Review Date: 11/27/2007
Reviewed By: Deirdre O’Reilly, M.D., M.P.H., Neonatologist, Division of Newborn Medicine, Children’s Hospital Boston and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

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