Abstract
Introduction: Brain injury in the newborn is a major cause of death and lifelong disability. The newborn brain is vulnerable to injury from a variety of causes, including hypoxia-ischaemia, haemorrhage and infection, yet has a remarkable capacity for repair. New neuroprotective therapies are being developed that have the potential to improve neurodevelopmental outcome in this vulnerable population. Brain imaging has revolutionised our understanding of the aetiology, pathophysiology and prognosis of damage in both term and preterm infants.
Areas covered: This paper reviews the main clinical imaging methodologies, principally ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, and describes new clinical and research techniques being developed using a range of imaging modalities. This paper provides an overview of perinatal brain injury and the importance of imaging in the management of these patients.
Expert opinion: Conventional brain imaging is important in neonatal care. However, the challenge is to correlate brain structure with function, and new technologies will provide new insights into the function of the developing brain. Imaging is also going to play a key role as an early biomarker facilitating trials of new neuroprotective therapies.
Dedication
This paper is dedicated to Colin Austin, Professor of Ancient Greek at Cambridge University. A wonderful scholar and an inspirational father: 1941 – 2010.
Notes
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