Abstract: The neonatal brain is very vulnerable to injury due to its relatively large size, rapid rate of development and immature immunological systems. Injury at this time often results in lifelong neuro-developmental sequelae such as cerebral palsy, learning difficulties and sensory deficits. In the term brain injury is most commonly due to hypoxia–ischaemia during labour, but hyperbilirubinaemia, trauma, thrombosis and infections remain important causes.In the preterm infant, because of immaturity, the pattern of injury is different with forms of white matter damage predominating. Germinal matrix haemorrhage, parenchymal infarction and forms of periventricular leucomalacia predominate. Preterm white matter damage often leads to altered or reduced development of cortical grey matter s...