Guide To The Causes And Risk Factors Of Periventricular Leukomalacia

Infection In The Uterus

A periventricular leukomalacia patient may have been affected by an infection in the uterus before being born. The mechanism of how a maternal infection that crosses into uterus causes brain injury that leads to periventricular leukomalacia is not associated with immediate changes in the flow of blood to the unborn child's brain, unlike most of the other causes of the brain injury. Instead, it is thought the infection makes its way into the amniotic membranes around the unborn child and releases harmful toxins into the fluids. The harmful toxins released by the infection-causing pathogen cause the blood vessels in the unborn child's brain to develop abnormally. Abnormally formed blood vessels in the brain can cause problems later in the pregnancy and during the birth of the child. Certain infections that cross the uterus into the membranes around the unborn child are also known to produce inflammation in the umbilical cord and membranes, which increases the chance of periventricular leukomalacia. This increased risk is attributed to swelling and how it can interfere with the normal flow of blood. Maternal sepsis can be transferred to the blood of an unborn child, which has direct effects on the white matter in the brain, which may also cause periventricular leukomalacia.

Read more about periventricular leukomalacia risk factors now.