PREVENTING ANTENATAL BRAIN INJURY IN FETAL GROWTH RESTRICTION

The work presented in this thesis forms the first body of evidence for the neuroprotective properties of antenatally administered melatonin in ovine fetal growth restriction (FGR). It also provides the first evidence of the antioxidant properties of melatonin in women with FGR. Taken together, these results provide the fundamental basis for undertaking a large, randomised controlled trial to further study the antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of melatonin in women with FGR. It is anticipated that these results will progress to the development of the first clinically applicable antenatal neuroprotective agent for pregnancies complicated by FGR.