Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) means bleeding into the normal fluid spaces (ventricles) within the brain. IVH is also used to refer to bleeding in areas near the ventricles even if the blood is not within them. The extent of IVH is graded:
Grade I- bleeding confined to the tiny area where it first begins
Grade II- blood is also within the ventricles
Grade III - more blood in the ventricles, usually with the ventricles increasing in size
Grade IV - a collection of blood within the brain tissue, also called intraparenchymal echodensities because of its appearance on the ultrasound picture. This can be seen with Gr. I, II, or III IVH. It reflects brain injury.