With improvement of critical care of the newborn, perinatal mortality had decreased along the past decades. However, recent studies have shown that there is a slightly increase in the prevalence of cerebral palsy over the same period either for term or premature babies. Epidemiological data stress the multifactorial origins of cerebral palsy. Along with premature birth one of the predominant cause appears to be chorioamnionitis. Using data from a review of clinical and experimental studies the authors aim to clarify the link between infection, inflammation and fetal brain damage. The hypothesis that cytokines as mediators of inflammation can also mediate neurotoxicity is developed.