In this report, we summarize evidence on mechanisms of injury after intraventricular hemorrhage resulting in post-hemorrhagic white matter injury and hydrocephalus and correlate that with the possibility of cellular therapy. We describe how two stem cell lines (MSC & USSC) acting in a paracrine fashion offer promise for attenuating the magnitude of injury in animal models and for improved functional recovery by: lowering the magnitude of apoptosis and neuronal cell death, reducing inflammation, and thus, mitigating white matter injury that culminates in improved motor and neurocognitive outcomes. Animal models of IVH are analyzed for their similarity to the human condition and we discuss merits of each approach. Studies on stem cell therapy for IVH in human neonates is described. Lastly, we offer suggestions on what future studies are needed to better understand mechanisms of injury and recovery and argue that human trials need to be expanded in parallel to animal research.
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