Abstract

Asphyxia has been shown to be the third most common cause of neonatal death (11%) after preterm birth (24%) and severe infections (12%). Perinatal asphyxia is an end result of significant degree of global hypoxic ischemia during the time of birth. Lack of oxygen delivery from this episode often leads to multiorgan failure. A variety of markers have been examined to identify perinatal hypoxia but studies for early determination of tissue damages due to birth asphyxia are still lacking. Magnesium, the second most common intracellular cation, may play a role in neuroprotection for neonate with perinatal asphyxia. The initial event resulting in fetal hypoxia leading to decreased cardiac output and subsequent decreased cerebral blood flow sets off a cascade of events resulting in brain injury

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