• N Efstathiou, G Theodoridis, and K Sarafidis.
• 1 Department of Neonatology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
• Hippokratia. 2017 Jul 1; 21 (3): 115123115-123.

Background Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a serious complication of perinatal asphyxia, is commonly associated with an unfavorable outcome. In-depth research is important not only for the interpretation of the underlying biological alternations but may also provide the basis for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools. The application of metabolomics in perinatal asphyxia/HIE is a relatively new approach.Methods We performed a narrative, non-systematic review in the literature of metabolomic studies involving newborn animals and humans exposed to hypoxia-ischemia or developing perinatal asphyxia/HIE.Results Fifteen animal studies, nine studies in human neonates, and two review articles were evaluated. Changes in the metabolomic profile of newborn animals exposed to hypoxia-ischemia and of asphyxiated neonates with HIE are presented in relation to the underlying pathophysiology. The clinical relevance of these findings is further discussed in a comprehensible to the bedside clinician manner.Conclusions Metabolomics may provide an explanation for the various metabolic alternations occurring in perinatal asphyxia/HIE, elucidate the biological background of the applied therapeutic interventions and promote the development of novel diagnostic-prognostic biomarkers of the disease. HIPPOKRATIA 2017, 21(3): 115-123.

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