LOH was unusual with significantly raised total protein indicating an inflammatory state. Increased Fas receptor, VEGF, IGF-1 and HGF suggest anti-apoptotic and repair mechanism activation. By contrast, elevated TNF-α and IL-6 indicate inflammatory processes in these neonatal brains. Taken with our previous study, these data indicate that different pathophysiology, inflammation and repair are occurring in HC of different aetiologies and that additional treatment strategies may benefit these infants in addition to fluid diversion.