Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury is a leading cause of morbidity and long-standing disability in newborns (Millar et al., 2017). Improved neonatal intensive care has increased survival in infants with pregnancy and birth related complications. Nonetheless, many surviving neonates exhibit neurological abnormalities that can persist throughout life (Millar et al., 2017). Early neuroprotective strategies have the potential to improve neurological outcomes and attenuate developmental delay in neonates.