ABSTRACT
During the perinatal period, asphyxia is defined as a state of disturbed gas exchange, accompanied by an increase in lactate, carbon dioxide, and other waste products, as well as a significant decrease in the concentration of oxygen in the blood. Hypoxia disrupts cellular metabolism in many different ways. The limited reserve of glycogen plays a prominent role. Under aerobic conditions, glycolysis (through the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation) produces 38 molecules of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from 1 molecule of glucose, which provides energy to the neuronal membrane pump in order to keep the internal concentration of potassium high and sodium, calcium, and chloride low. This ionic balance is the physiological basis for intraneuronal communication. With the lack of glucose and oxygen, all ATP-dependent processes are interrupted. Due to the reduced production of ATP, many structural and functional changes occur, especially in the highly differentiated cells of the central nervous system, heart, and kidneys. It is certain that the loss of cell membrane function is the primary event in the occurrence of cell damage under hypoxic conditions.
