Drug therapy in hypoxic-ischemic cerebral insults and intraventricular hemorrhage of the newborn.

Recent progress in understanding the pathophysiology of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathies and intraventricular hemorrhages have enabled us to propose new therapeutic modalities in preventing the development and severity of these disorders in the newborn. Because neuronal damage may be reversible under certain conditions, appropriate evaluation of these drugs (single or in combination) is very important in the continuous attempt to ameliorate the neurodevelopmental outcome of these infants. An interventionist attitude should prove to be a better alternative than a supportive one.