Abstract: Objective To establish a new rat model of perinatal brain damage. Methods Wistar rats were randomized into 3 groups: lipopolysaccharide （LPS） plus hypoxia (H) group: 17 d pregnant rats exposure in utero to LPS followed by hypoxia; hypoxia (H)/ ischemia (I) group: postnatal day 7 (P7) pups ligated the right common carotid artery followed by exposure to hypoxia (8% O₂ ) for 2 h; control group: P7 pups incised the anteriorl cervical skin only. The footprint analysis, compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and pathological observation were performed after 4 weeks. Results The left limb footprint repeatability of rat in HI and LPS plus H groups was poorer than that in control group （P<0.05）. The hindlimb quadriceps CMAP of rats in HI and LPS plus H groups showed that the wave amplitude was lower than that in control group （P<0.05）. The periventricular cells were irregular, and the periventricular leukomalacia was seen. The morphous of the neurocytes was irregular obviously, part of the nuclear membranes was broken down with the content leakage under transmission electron microscope. Conclusion The animal model for cerebral palsy has established, that mimics more the occurrence of this disease in human.

Key words: cerebral palsy, lipopolysaccharide, inflammation, hypoxia-ischemia, animal model, rats