ABSTRACT
Aspyxia is a state of lack of oxygen in the tissues that leaves either minimal or lasting consequences in the body of the newborn, depending on the period of action and the length of time. Mitochondrial damage is a central event in a cell affected by asphyxia. It is precisely the type of mitochondrial damage that determines the manner of cell death (necrosis or apoptosis). If the damage is intense, it quickly leads to the shutdown of mitochondrial function, loss of production of adenosine triphosphate, and explosive rupture of the nuclear and cytoplasmic membrane, which leads to necrosis – uncontrolled cell death (occurs during hypoxia/ischemia). Apoptosis-controlled cell death occurs in the reperfusion-reoxygenation phase. Necroptosis is a programmed necrosis or inflammatory cell disease. If the insult is mild, the neurons initially lose but ultimately restore (repair) the function of their mitochondria.
