Abstract

The beginning of neonatal neurology dates back to the fifties of the last century, when the criterion of normality or optimal functioning of the central nervous system on the one hand and abnormalities on the other were set. This was followed by the development of imaging methods, which made it possible to recognize bleeding in the cerebral ventricles and damage to the white matter of the brain - periventricular cystic leukomalacia; later on magnetic resonance imaging significantly contributed to the understanding of the complexity of brain injury in premature and term infants. The development of electroencephalography has provided insight into the brain maturation and has made a key contribution to the understanding of the nature of neonatal seizures. Advances in basic science have contributed to the understanding of the mechanisms of brain damage at the cellular level and to the initiation of neuroprotection. The current era of neonatal neurology has focused on the concept of neonatal injury leading to impaired brain development - secondary dysmaturation and on new options of neuroprotection. In the future, we primarily expect an improvement in the level of neuroprotection, additional development of genetic diagnostics and treatment, and thus the development of the personalized medicine.

Key words: newborn, brain, injury, encephalopathy, neonatal seizures, neuroprotection