Neonatal neurology, past present and future. A window on the brain

Interest in the neurology of the newborn has been largely stimulated by the new advances of imaging; CT, cranial ultrasonography and MRI which for the first time allowed diagnosis of brain lesions in the live infant which in the past could only be made by post mortem examinations. (Ultrasound in particular, as it is safe, cheap and portable has been eminantly suitable for routine use in the nurseries to study the incidence, timing and evolution of the lesions in the neonatal period. While MRI is expensive and more difficult to perform it gives superb anatomical definition and is also safe for repeated examinations. It is thus very suitable to follow the evolution of the lesions into infancy). The aim of this presentation is to illustrate how an integrated approach with the combined use of imaging and clinical evaluations lead to a better understanding of antenatal and perinatal factors which may be responsible for the production of these lesions on one hand and the impact of these lesions on later development on the other.