The injury response in the term newborn brain: can we neuroprotect?

Purpose of review Perinatal hypoxia-ischemia is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in term infants. The developing brain is uniquely vulnerable to hypoxic-ischemic injury, with a complex evolution of injury that affords opportunities for intervention, yet potentially jeopardizes normal maturational processes. Recent findings Data published over the past year have provided insights into the evolution of injury, and have suggested a greater role for oxidants and inflammatory mediators. Summary The search for ideal neuroprotective agents and techniques for timely injury detection is actively progressing and has led to advances in our understanding of pathogenesis.