[Intrauterine infection and the preterm brain: dimensions of aetiology research].
Perinatal brain damage has a diverse and complex aetiology. Over the past decades, much progress has been made in this research field. In this article, I offer a discussion of seven dimensions of aetiological perinatal brain damage research: (1) hypoxia-ischaemia vs. inflammation; (2) "classic" vs. "remote" intrauterine infection; (3) focal vs. diffuse white matter damage; (4) maternal vs. foetal inflammatory response; (5) clinical vs. experimental data; (6) bacterial vs. viral infection; and (7) preterm vs. term delivery. Despite these complexities, it is hoped that obstetricians, neonatologists, and neuropaediatricians will agree on a perinatal neuroprotective strategy in the near future.
Dammann
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Perinatale Infektionsepidemiologie, OE6415 Abteilung für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe, sowie Abteilung für Kinderheilkunde, Pädiatrische Pneumologie und Neonatologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover. dammann.olaf@mh-hannover.de
D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010922:Placenta Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; D012106:Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology