The role of pentoxifylline on neuroprotection in neonatal rat model of hypoxic ischemic brain injury

Despite important progress in obstetric and neonatal care hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) during gestation and perinatal period are common causes of neonatal brain damage which are frequently associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, memory deficits, learning disabilities, and other cognitive impairments [1-3]. Incidence is 1 to 2 per 1000 live births, but is 2 to 3 times more common in developing countries [4]. Although, hypothermia is the only standard neuroprotective treatment used in infants with HIE, it has a number of limitations [5]. Therefore, new pharmacologic and therapeutic approaches continues to be investigated.