In the study by Salonvaara et al., low prothrombin activity in preterm infants was associated with intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH). The interesting research question-do preterm infants who develop IVH have underlying coagulation disturbance?-could not be answered in this study.
Conclusion: The association needs further investigation. The role of prothrombin in perinatal brain damage in the development of IVH and of white matter damage has to be further elucidated.