Brain ischemic lesions of the newborn

Abstract

Ischemia is the most frequent pathogenetic mechanism of brain lesions in infancy. The authors give a brief report on the recent advances achieved in knowledge of the underlying neuropathology, clinical manifestations, strategies of management and outcome of ischemic brain lesions in the newborn. A better knowledge of pathophysiological mechanisms is necessary so that prevention can be made more effective and outcomes improved. As far the vulnerability to ischemic insults in term and preterm infants is concerned, the different types of brain damage cause various neurological consequences at different gestational ages. Thus, the authors deal separately with white matter lesions, which are typical of infants born prematurely, and cortical brain ischemic lesions, which are found in full-term newborns.