Mechanisms of perinatal brain damage and protective possibilities

Randomized trials show that hypothermic treatment after birth attenuates neuromotor disability/death offering evidence that neuroprotective treatment is a clinical possibility in neonates. To develop more effective protective strategies for term and preterm infants, research has focused on understanding the mechanisms underlying brain lesions in grey and white matter. The key mechanisms will be reviewed and some agents for neuroprotection that are already in clinical use and novel potential interventions will be highlighted.

Section editor:Vineta Fellman – Division of Pediatrics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden