Twenty-five full-term neonates with severe posthypoxic syndrome, including 9 (36%) with prior acute moderate asphyxia, 8 (32%) with acute asphyxia, and 8 (32%) with associated acute asphyxia, were examined. The severity of posthypoxia and the efficiency of its treatment were evaluated, by studying cerebral and systemic hemodynamics. In children with moderate and severe asphyxia, artificial ventilation contributed to normalization of acid-base balance and infusion of dopamine in a dose of up to 5 microg/kg x min could achieve adequate cardiac output. In children with associated severe asphyxia, infusion of dopamine in a dose of 5.5-10 microg/kg x min, which failed to improve cerebral perfusion pressure, was required to maintain the optimal cardiac output. This situation requires additional cerebral protective therapy aimed at lowering intracranial pressure.