Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) originating from germinal matrix is the major brain injury of the premature. We studied IVH incidence and risk factors which are implied in this pathology in newborns, hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine. Ninety-seven premature newborns with a birth weight of less than 2500 g were examined systematically with cranial ultrasonography (CU). Mean birthweight was 1540 +/- 430 g (720-2450) and gestational age 31.6 +/- 2.4 weeks (26-37). IVH was diagnosed in 40 cases (41%). The significant risk factors are prematurity (gestational age < 33 weeks), artificial ventilation and infusion of fresh frozen plasma.