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Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
Perinatal infections and cerebral palsy
Marcus C Hermansen1, Mary Goetz Hermansen
1Department of Pediatrics, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, NH 03756-0001, USA. marcus.hermansen@snhmc.org
Clinics in Perinatology
|June 13, 2006
Insights
Maternal and neonatal infections can lead to cerebral palsy via multiple pathways. This review critically evaluates the role of cytokine-induced brain injury and systemic inflammation in its development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is a significant cause of lifelong disability.
- Infections during pregnancy and in the neonatal period are known risk factors for CP.
- The precise mechanisms linking infection to CP are complex and multifactorial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the various mechanisms by which maternal, fetal, and neonatal infections can cause cerebral palsy.
- To critically evaluate the proposed theory of cytokine-induced white matter brain injury in CP pathogenesis.
- To assess the role of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in the context of infection-related CP.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of existing studies on infection and cerebral palsy.
- Analysis of proposed etiological pathways, including inflammatory and infectious mechanisms.
- Critical evaluation of current theories regarding the role of cytokines and systemic inflammation.
Main Results:
- Infections affecting the mother, intrauterine environment, fetus, or neonate are established causes of cerebral palsy.
- Cytokine-induced white matter brain injury is a key proposed mechanism linking inflammation to CP.
- Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) are implicated in severe cases.
Conclusions:
- Infections represent a critical modifiable risk factor for cerebral palsy.
- Understanding inflammatory pathways, particularly cytokine-mediated injury, is crucial for developing preventative strategies.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex interplay between infection, inflammation, and brain development in CP.
Abstract:
Infections of the mother, the intrauterine environment, the fetus, and the neonate can cause cerebral palsy through a variety of mechanisms. Each of these processes is reviewed. The recently proposed theory of cytokine-induced white matter brain injury and the systemic inflammatory response syndrome with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome is critically evaluated.
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