Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) have been used to study the brains of normal newborn infants and infants with cerebral disorders admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit. MRS, which involves transporting the infant to the spectrometer, allows measurement of mobile phosphorus compounds such as adenosine triphosphate and phosphocreatine in brain tissue, and has been performed on over 160 babies. NIRS gives cotside information about cerebral oxygenation and haemodynamics and has recently been introduced. These techniques, especially when used together, show promise of providing important information about the mechanisms and prognostic significance of hypoxic-ischaemic damage to the brain--the most important cause of permanent neurodevelopmental disabilities in infants who require intensive care.