Cerebrovascular consequences of fetal growth restriction in the perinatal period

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a common pregnancy complication that is strongly linked to neurodevelopmental abnormalities. During fetal life, the growth restricted fetus adapts to poor oxygen delivery by dilating brain blood vessels, and this can be maintained over a prolonged period of compromise. The aim of studies undertaken in this thesis was to characterise the consequences of FGR on the development of cerebrovascular instability and susceptibility to cerebral haemorrhage. I discovered that fetal growth restriction is associated with increased risk of developing cerebral haemorrhage and that common birth events, including mechanical ventilation asphyxia, worsen these outcomes.