RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Isolated acute non-cystic white matter injury in term infants presenting with neonatal encephalopathy JF Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition JO Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health SP F158 OP F160 DO 10.1136/archdischild-2011-301505 VO 98 IS 2 A1 Michael Joseph Barrett A1 Veronica Donoghue A1 Eoghan E Mooney A1 Marie Slevin A1 Thara Persaud A1 Eilish Twomey A1 Stephanie Ryan A1 Eoghan Laffan A1 Anne Twomey YR 2013 UL http://fn.bmj.com/content/98/2/F158.abstract AB We discuss possible aetiological factors, MRI evolution of injury and neuro-developmental outcomes of neonatal encephalopathy (NE). Thirty-six consecutive infants diagnosed with NE were included. In this cohort, four infants (11%) were identified with injury predominantly in the deep white matter on MRI who were significantly of younger gestation, lower birthweight with higher Apgars at one and five minutes compared to controls. Placental high grade villitis of unknown aetiology (VUA) was identified in all four of these infants. Our hypothesis states VUA may induce white matter injury by causing a local inflammatory response and/or oxidative stress during the perinatal period. We underline the importance of continued close and systematic evaluation of all cases of NE, including examination of the placenta, in order to come to a better understanding of the clinical presentation, the patterns of brain injury and the underlying pathophysiological processes.