Intracranial haemorrhage associated with hyaline membrane disease

Prolonged anoxia is the major factor responsible for intracranial haemorrhage associated with hyaline membrane disease. Bleeding is confined to the intraventricular and subarachnoid regions, and occurs as a catastrophic event, usually two to three days after the anoxic episode. This pattern was observed in 9 infants who required artificial ventilation for repeated apnoeic attacks. These babies would probably have died of respiratory failure had they not received positive pressure ventilation. This form of therapy, rather than causing the complication, permitted the study of its course. A short spell of anoxia, on the other hand, does not carry the same ominous implication and may be treated by means of artificial ventilation without fear of intracranial haemorrhage during the course of the disease.