Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is a brain injury disorder characterized by the death of the white matter of the brain due to softening of the brain tissue. It can affect fetuses or newborns, and premature babies are at the greatest risk of the disorder. PVL is caused by a lack of oxygen or blood flow to thearea around the ventricles of the brain, which results in the death of brain tissue. Although babies with PVL generally have no apparent signs or symptoms of the disorder at delivery, they are at risk for motor disorders, cerebral palsy, delayed mental development, coordination problems, and vision and hearing impairments. There is no cure for PVL. Treatment is generally supportive. Prognosis is dependent on the extent of damage to the ventricles.
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