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Am J Perinatol 2016; 33(03): 290-296
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1571148
Prematurity Special Issue
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Perinatal Neuroprotection for Extremely Preterm Infants

Alexis S. Davis
1   Division of Neonatal-Developmental Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
,
Victoria K. Berger
2   Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
,
Valerie Y. Chock
1   Division of Neonatal-Developmental Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

18 November 2015

24 November 2015

Publication Date:
22 January 2016 (online)

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Abstract

The preterm brain is vulnerable to injury through multiple mechanisms, from direct cerebral injury through ischemia and hemorrhage, indirect injury through inflammatory processes, and aberrations in growth and development. While prevention of preterm birth is the best neuroprotective strategy, this is not always possible. This article will review various obstetric and neonatal practices that have been shown to confer a neuroprotective effect on the developing brain.

Keywords

very low-birth-weight - brain injury - neuroprotection - outcomes - premature infant
 

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