Hypoxic injury of the brain during the prenatal and/or postnatal period represents a frequent cause of human morbidity and mortality. Oxygen deficiency or low capacity of antioxidant mechanisms during the reperfu- sion period cause serious changes in homeostasis, which can result in structural and functional impairment of the central nervous system.

        Key words: hypoxia - brain - plasticity - ontogenesis - antioxidants