Disease stratification in neonatal encephalopathy

Neonatal encephalopathy is a heterogeneous condition and is rarely the result of an isolated acute intrapartum event. Hence a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach will not work, and babies require specific treatment targeted at the underlying mechanism of brain injury.

Fortunately, we now have more than a dozen highly effective therapies from preclinical studies. What we need is a way to identify the specific therapy that may be most beneficial for an individual baby. We are developing bedside tools and point of care tests for rapid disease stratification in neonatal encephalopathy based on the host transcriptomic profile so that in future, doctors can provide a more personalised approach to neuroprotection.