Recent data have indicated that CNS injury in the neonate may have significant intrapartum antecedents, possibly being more important than intrapartum or postpartum events. The current study was an effort to assess this concept on the basis of neuropathologic examination of brains from infants dying at age 7 days or less. Tissue examination was designed to identify and describe lesions, but also to determine their age on the basis of the stage of injury/repair noted.