Neuroprotective strategies of cerebrolysin for the treatment of infants with neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Perinatal asphyxia (PA) is a devastating neonatal condition characterized by a lack of oxygen supporting the organ systems. PA can lead to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a brain dysfunction due to oxygen deprivation with a complex neurological sequela. The pathophysiology of HIE and PA is not entirely understood, with therapeutic hypothermia being the standard treatment with only limited value. However, alternative neuroprotective therapies can be a potential treatment modality. METHODS: In this review, we will characterize the biochemical mechanisms of PA and HIE, while also giving insight into cerebrolysin, a neuroprotective treatment used for HIE and PA. RESULTS: We found that cerebrolysin has up to 6-month treatment window post-ischemic insult. Cerebrolysin injections of 0.1 ml/kg of body weight twice per week were found to provide gross motor and speech deficit improvement. CONCLUSION: Our literature search emphasizes the positive effects of cerebrolysin for general improvement outcomes. Nevertheless, biomarker establishment is warranted to improve patient outcomes.