What is periventricular leukomalacia (PVL)?

Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is a disorder that is characterized by the death of the white matter of the brain due to softening of brain tissue. It can affect fetuses or newborns; premature babies are at the greatest risk of the disorder. PVL is caused by a lack of oxygen or blood flow to the periventricular area-the area around the spaces called ventricles in the brain-of the brain, which results in the death or loss of brain tissue. The periventricular area contains nerve fibers that carry messages from the brain to the body's muscles. Although babies with PVL generally have no outward signs or symptoms of the disorder, they are at risk for motor disorders, delayed mental development, coordination problems, and vision and hearing impairments. PVL may be accompanied by a hemorrhage or bleeding in the periventricular-intraventricular area-the area around and inside ventricles-and can lead to cerebral palsy. The disorder is diagnosed by ultrasound of the head.

This answer is based on source information from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.