| Grade | Description on parasagittal view |
| I | Germinal matrix hemorrhage (GMH) only or germinal matrix hemorrhage plus intraventricular hemorrhage less than 10% of ventricular area |
| II | GMH and intraventricular hemorrhage; 10 to 50% of ventricular area |
| III | GMH and intraventricular hemorrhage involving more than 50% of ventricular area; lateral ventricles are usually distended |
| IV | Hemorrhagic infarction in periventricular white matter ipsilateral to intraventricular hemorrhage (also called periventricular hemorrhagic infarction) |
