Abstract

Germinal matrix hemorrhage (GMH) are prevalent and distinctive issues among premature infants, particularly those with very low birth weight (VLBW; less than 1500 g) or gestational age (GA) below 32 weeks. GMH is linked with elevated mortality rates and adverse neurodevelopmental consequences, including posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, severe cognitive impairment, and visual and hearing impairments. Since many affected neonates show no symptoms, diagnosis typically relies on real-time transfontanellar ultrasound.. The occurrence of GMH rises as gestational age (GA) and body weight decrease. Hemorrhage begins within the capillary network of the subependymal germinal matrix (GM) in the developing brain and can potentially disrupt the ependymal lining, advancing into the lateral cerebral ventricle . This review highlights the significance of cranial ultrasound (cUS) in premature infants, exploring the incidence and diverse imaging characteristics of germinal matrix hemorrhage GMH.

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