[Fetal germinal matrix and intraventricular hemorrhage associated with periventricular leukomalacia].

Subependymal germinal matrix hemorrhage with intraventricular hemorrhage(SEIVH) is a common complication associated with delivery in preterm neonates but has rarely been observed in the fetus. We report a fetus with SEIVH, hydrocephalus and periventricular leukomalacia(PVL). Although this fetus had uneventful prenatal periods, transabdominal ultrasound examination(US) at 33 weeks of pregnancy revealed SEIVH and hydrocephalus, and MRI at 36 weeks did associated PVL. While no events reported that could explain the onset of SEIVH, PVL was considered to be the results of anoxic events associated with SEIVH. In addition to US, information provided by fetal MRI, especially T 2-weighted image, permits a better understanding of the pathophysiology of fetal SEIVH with PVL.