Disturbances in tissue oxygenation have been identified as common sources of perinatal insults, caused by, for example, hypoxia-ischemia, hyperoxia, or placental dysfunction. Common complications associated with these noxious stimuli are intrauterine growth restriction and/or preterm birth, increasing the risk for the development of disorders such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia or cerebral palsy. The underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the emergence of these diseases include free radical generation, inflammation, and interruption of physiological organ development, leading to detrimental long-term sequelae.

Although our understanding of the pathophysiological hallmarks in most affected organs, like the placenta, lungs, and the brain has increased tremendously, standard care in the perinatal period is still limited. Therefore, there is a great need to improve our understanding of the underlying mechanisms in the development of oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and their effects on the premature organism. This basic scientific knowledge can then be used to identify new therapeutic targets to increase long-term survival and to improve the quality of life of infants and their families.

This Special Issue aims to collect both original research and review articles covering recent biomedical or clinical findings related to disturbed perinatal oxygenation and new pharmacological or cell-based regenerative approaches as potential therapeutic options to ameliorate otherwise long-lasting deleterious consequences on organ development.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Mechanisms of oxidative stress-related lung and brain injury caused by hyperoxia or hypoxia-ischemia
• The role of oxidative stress in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)/fetal growth restriction and its consequences on brain and lung development
• Interaction between oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in the development of pulmonary, cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurodegenerative disorders of preterm infants
• Recent therapeutic advances to ameliorate oxidative stress-related organ injury (pharmacological or cell-based regenerative approaches)
• Clinical use of antioxidants to treat respiratory instability
• Interplay between oxidative stress, antioxidative therapy, and inflammatory responses in the development of lung and brain injury
• Limitations and improvements of oxygen therapy in standard care of preterm neonates