Antenatal brain injury: aetiology and possibilities of prevention.

H Hagberg, C Mallard

Journal: Seminars in neonatology : SN 2000;5(1):41-51

PMID: 10802749

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

Although the aetiology of antenatal brain injury is often unclear, procedures can be employed to prevent or reduce the risk of injury. Defective neuropore closure can be prevented by periconceptional administration of folic acid, and the incidence of other severe malformations and genetic disorders can be reduced by early identification and termination of pregnancy. Antenatal identification of IUGR, administration of corticosteroids to cases with pending preterm birth, and treatment of maternal/fetal infections would also reduce the incidence of injury. Mothers can decrease the risk of injury by maintaining a good diet, avoiding smoking, alcohol intake and exposure to TORCH infections during pregnancy.

Address: Perinatal Center Dept of Obstetrics, Institute for the Health of Women and Children and Dept of Physiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Ostra, Göteborg, 416 85, Sweden. [email protected]

DOI: 10.1053/siny.1999.0114

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MeSH Terms: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Brain Injuries, Central Nervous System, Female, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Fetal Growth Retardation, Fetal Hypoxia, Folic Acid, Humans, Obstetric Labor, Premature, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Infectious, Prenatal Care, Risk Factors, Smoking, Steroids