Etiology and pathogenic mechanism of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopaty

A. Milulescu, S. Vlădăreanu, R. Vlădăreanu

Rezumat: Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is the leading cause of disability and infant mortality through its consequences on the central nervous system. It is defined by neurological damage occurred in the newborn due to hypoxia and cerebral ischemia secondary to fetal acute or chronic distress. Most cases of neonatal encephalopathy have their antecedents in the prenatal period. It is unknown if neonatal encephalopathy is the result of a single insult (hypoxia-ischemia), multiple insults (infection and hypoxia-ischemia), or combinations of acute or chronic conditions. Approximately 70 percent of neonatal encephalopathy are associated with events dated before the onset of labor. Among the antepartum factors there are maternal, placental and fetal factors. The strongest risk factor is represented by intrauterine growth restriction.
Cuvinte cheie: neonatal encephalopathy, risk factors, hypoxia.