Intraventricular streptokinase after intraventricular hemorrhage in newborn infants.

Hydrocephalus following intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is still one of the most serious complications of premature birth. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery cannot be carried out early and permanent dependence on a shunt is associated with several serious complications. Streptokinase could be useful in the treatment of post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus. This form of therapy is based on the hypothesis that multiple blood clots in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are the initial cause of post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation and lysis of clots could reopen the pathways of circulation and re-absorption of CSF.