Mechanisms of perinatal brain injury

Semin Neonatol. 2000 Feb;5(1):3-16. doi: 10.1053/siny.1999.0112.

Abstract

This article is focused on the mechanisms underlying primarily ischaemic/reperfusion brain injury in both the term and premature infant. Although the mechanisms involved include similar initiating events, principally ischaemia-reperfusion, and similar final common pathways to cell death, particularly free radical-mediated events, there are certain unique maturational factors influencing the type and pattern of cellular injury. We will therefore initially describe the physiological and cellular/molecular mechanisms of brain injury in the term infant, followed by the mechanisms in the premature infant.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Asphyxia Neonatorum / diagnosis
  • Asphyxia Neonatorum / etiology*
  • Asphyxia Neonatorum / physiopathology
  • Asphyxia Neonatorum / prevention & control
  • Brain Injuries / congenital*
  • Brain Injuries / diagnosis
  • Brain Injuries / physiopathology
  • Brain Injuries / prevention & control
  • Cell Death
  • Cerebral Infarction / complications
  • Cerebral Ventricles
  • Female
  • Fetal Hypoxia / diagnosis
  • Fetal Hypoxia / etiology*
  • Fetal Hypoxia / physiopathology
  • Fetal Hypoxia / prevention & control
  • Free Radicals / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Leukomalacia, Periventricular / complications
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / immunology
  • Reperfusion Injury / congenital*
  • Reperfusion Injury / diagnosis
  • Reperfusion Injury / physiopathology
  • Reperfusion Injury / prevention & control
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Free Radicals