**Core Concept**
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in newborns involves brain injury due to lack of oxygen and blood flow, often resulting from perinatal asphyxia or birth trauma. This condition can lead to seizures in the neonatal period.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The most common cause of seizures in newborns is hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. This condition arises when the brain lacks adequate oxygen and blood supply during a critical period, often due to complications during delivery or birth asphyxia. The resulting brain injury can cause abnormal electrical activity in the brain, leading to seizures. The pathophysiology involves damage to the cerebral cortex and subcortical structures, which can disrupt normal brain function.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** Infections such as meningitis or encephalitis can cause seizures in newborns, but they are not the most common cause.
* **Option B:** Metabolic disorders like hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia can lead to seizures, but they are less common than HIE in the neonatal population.
* **Option C:** Congenital anomalies such as cerebral malformations can increase the risk of seizures, but they are not the primary cause of seizures in newborns.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is a leading cause of neonatal seizures, and its diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation of the newborn's birth history, clinical presentation, and laboratory findings.

**Correct Answer:** C. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy