Periventricular leukomalacia is characterized by the death of the white matter near the cerebral ventricles due to softening of the brain tissue. It can affect fetuses or newborns; premature babies are at the greatest risk of the disorder. PVL is caused by a lack of oxygen or blood flow to the periventricular area of the brain, which results in the death or loss of brain tissue. The periventricular area contains...
Educate yourself on the various positions a baby lies while inside the womb with the fetal positions slide show. Also learn about the different ways a baby may enter the birth canal during labor.