RELATION BETWEEN CEREBRAL OXIDATIVE-METABOLISM FOLLOWING BIRTH ASPHYXIA, AND NEURODEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME AND BRAIN GROWTH AT ONE YEAR

Studies of cerebral oxidative metabolism were carried out by phosphoro us magnetic resonance spectroscopy during the first week of life in 52 infants with clinical and/or biochemical evidence of birth asphyxia. 15 infants died and the 37 survivors were assessed by a wide range of neurodevelopmental tests at one year of age. The minimum recorded valu es for cerebral phosphocreatine/inorganic phosphate concentration rati o (an index of oxidative metabolism) were related to outcome. The resu lts showed a significant relation between the extent of derangement of oxidative metabolism and the severity of adverse outcomes, including death, neurodevelopmental impairment and reduced head growth.