Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been studied in a number of diseases. However, the roles of circRNAs in hypoxic‑ischemic brain damage (HIBD) remains unknown. In the present study, high throughput sequencing was used to profile altered circRNAs in HIBD rats. A total of 66 circRNAs were identified to be differentially expressed (fold‑change >2 and P‑value <0.05) in HIBD rats compared with the control group, including 20 upregulated and 46 downregulated circRNAs. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis indicated that numerous mRNAs transcribed from the host genes of altered circRNAs were involved in brain damage and neural regeneration. The interaction of circRNA/microRNA was predicted based on TargetScan and miRanda. The results of this study demonstrated an altered circRNA expression pattern in HIBD rats and suggests important roles in HIBD physiological and pathological processes. These findings suggest a novel focus for future studies investigating the molecular mechanism underlying HIBD and possibilities for the treatment of HIBD through modulating circRNAs.