Principles of neurointensive care in children with hypoxic encephalopathy have been discussed. The limit of normothermic cardiac arrest after which complete recovery might be achieved seems to be not five minutes but rather between ten and twenty minutes, about the same for the brain and the heart. Cerebral recovery after cardiac arrest can be improved by shortening cardiac arrest and CPR time, maximizing cerebral perfusion pressure during CPR, restoring normotension, and undertaking measures to achieve intra and extracranial homeostasis. Barbiturates and steroids are of no value in treatment of hypoxic encephalopathy in children. Steroids, however, may be used for treatment of cerebral edema resulting from brain tumors.