An intraventricular hemorrhage, or  IVH, is bleeding into the ventricles of the brain. In infants, intraventricular hemorrhages are labeled by how severe the hemorrhage is.

Grade 1 - bleeding occurs just in a small area of the ventricles.
Grade 2 - bleeding also occurs inside the ventricles.
Grade 3 - ventricles are enlarged by the blood.
Grade 4 - bleeding into the brain tissues around the ventricles.

Grades 1 and 2 are most common, occurring in about 75% of babies with IVH. Often, there are no further complications. Grades 3 and 4 are the most serious and may result in long-term brain injury to the baby. Hydrocephalus (too much cerebral spinal fluid in the brain) may develop after severe IVH.