Andrew G. L. Whitelaw
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Andrew G. L. Whitelaw (born 31 August 1946) was a British neonatologist and academic, recognized for his contributions to treating conditions affecting newborn babies. He helds the position of Emeritus Professor at Bristol Medical School, where he was associated with Bristol Neuroscience. He died on 9 November 2025.[1]
Whitelaw was a member of the Royal College of Physicians and a Fellow of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. He also served as the president of the Neonatal Society.[2]
Whitelaw's research has garnered over 15,553 citations across 9,919 publications. Additionally, his h-index is 61.
Whitelaw was born in West Fife, Scotland to Robert and Cicely Whitelaw.[3]
He received his early education at Commercial Primary School.[3]
Research
Intraventricular Haemorrhage (IVH) and Hydrocephalus in Premature Babies
One of Whitelaw's notable findings is the efficacy of ventricular lavage in reducing brain injury and disability in post-haemorrhagic hydrocephalus. Ventricular lavage removes toxic substances, such as free iron and pro-inflammatory cytokines, released by old blood.[4][5][6]
Hypoxic-Ischaemic Injury in Full-Term Babies
Whitelaw's research has focused on the prevention and treatment of hypoxic-ischaemic injury in full-term newborns. He has been a pioneer in developing and testing mild cooling as a therapeutic approach for neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. This intervention, known as therapeutic hypothermia, has been shown to improve the chances of survival without neurological impairment at 18 months of age.[7][8][9]