Joepe J Kaandorp, Manon J N L Benders, Carin M A Rademaker, Helen L Torrance, Martijn A Oudijk, Timo R de Haan, Kitty W M Bloemenkamp, Monique Rijken, Maria G van Pampus, Arie F Bos, Martina M Porath, Sidarto Bambang Oetomo, Christine Willekes, A W Danilo Gavilanes, Maurice G A J Wouters, Ruurd M van Elburg, Anjoke J M Huisjes, Saskia C M J E R Bakker, Claudia A van Meir, Jeannette von Lindern, Janine Boon, Inge P de Boer, Robbert Jp Rijnders, Corrie J W F M Jacobs, Cuno S P M Uiterwaal, Ben Willem J Mol, Gerard H A Visser, Frank van Bel, Jan B Derks
BACKGROUND: Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy is associated with development of cerebral palsy and cognitive disability later in life and is therefore one of the fundamental problems in perinatal medicine. The xanthine-oxidase inhibitor allopurinol reduces the formation of free radicals, thereby limiting the amount of hypoxia-reperfusion damage. In case of suspected intra-uterine hypoxia, both animal and human studies suggest that maternal administration of allopurinol immediately prior to delivery reduces hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy...
February 18, 2010: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth