Hypoxic Lesions in Areas of Primary Myelination

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Abstract
The stage of regional structural and biochemical development of the central nervous system appears to be a critical factor determining the topistic distribution of ‘hypoxic’ lesions during the perinatal period. This report describes the brain lesions of 6 patients who suffered ‘hypoxia’ or ischemia during the perinatal period. 5 of these cases uniformly displayed symmetric ulegyria limited to areas of primary myelination, white matter damage subjacent to the cortical lesions, and status marmoratus of the basal ganglia and thalami. Areas of association which myelinate later in the postnatal period were basically normal. It is postulated that the damaged areas, at the moment of ‘hypoxic’ insult, had higher respiratory rates than the undamaged areas and, therefore, were more susceptible to oxygen deprivation.