PVL

Medical abbreviation · Pediatric & Neonatal

PVL
Stands forPeriventricular leukomalacia
CategoriesMedical

PVL stands for Periventricular leukomalacia, a pediatric & neonatal abbreviation.

Injury and softening of the white matter around the brain's ventricles, mainly in premature infants, caused by reduced blood flow and inflammation. Cystic PVL is a strong predictor of cerebral palsy, especially spastic diplegia.

Example: Head ultrasound at 4 weeks: bilateral cystic PVL; refer to early intervention and neurology.

Usage notes

PVL is often silent in the newborn period and detected on routine cranial ultrasound or later MRI. Infection and inflammation in the mother or infant increase risk. Survivors need close developmental follow-up. Pronounced as letters.

More pediatric & neonatal abbreviations

  • NEC – Necrotizing enterocolitis
  • NOWS – Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome
  • OFC – Occipitofrontal circumference
  • PCV – Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
  • PKU – Phenylketonuria
  • PPHN – Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn
  • ROP – Retinopathy of prematurity
  • RV – Rotavirus vaccine
  • SBS – Shaken baby syndrome
  • SIDS – Sudden infant death syndrome
  • SUID – Sudden unexpected infant death
  • T21 – Trisomy 21

See all 51 pediatric & neonatal abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.