Germinal matrix hemorrhage of venous origin in preterm neonates.

The rupture point of germinal matrix hemorrhage in premature neonates was examined by postmortem angiography. Thirteen cases of germinal matrix hemorrhage were injected via artery (four cases), vein (five cases), and both artery and vein simultaneously (four cases). Only material injected via vein leaked into the hemorrhage, which was confirmed by stereomicroscopic and histologic examination. This study suggests that germinal matrix hemorrhage is venous in origin.