[Long-term outcome of childhood hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy]

To propose an adequate rehabilitation program for children suffering from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) based on estimated outcomes.

Participants were 42 children, 28 boys and 14 girls, who suffered from HIE after neonatal period. We divided them into three groups; favorable (GMFCS level 1 or 2), moderate (level 3 or 4), and unfavorable (level 5), and compared the extent of brain lesions on MRI, age of onset, and complications among the groups.

The number of children in favorable, moderate, and unfavorable groups was 10, 10 and 22, respectively. All children in favorable and moderate groups showed focal cerebral lesions on MRI. In contrast, most children in unfavorable group (19/22) had diffuse brain damage and the rest were infantile onset with focal cerebral lesions. The etiology and situation of HIE did not differ among three groups. Three children in moderate group whose onsets were earlier than 5 months showed lesions similar to those in neonatal HIE; in bilateral basal ganglia, thalamus, and perirolandic cortex. In favorable group, 7 children were able to walk independently within 5 months after the insult, but 9 had moderate or severe mental retardation and 3 showed severe visual impairment. A majority of unfavorable group developed scoliosis or hip dislocation, and underwent tracheostomy or gastrostomy. Five children who had stayed acute hospitals for longer than 6 months developed irreversible complications such as joint contractures before discharge.

Children with focal cerebral lesions need continual rehabilitation and education for mental retardation and visual impairment, even if they can walk within several months after HIE. Those with diffuse brain damage need sufficient rehabilitation as early as possible to avoid developing secondary complications. MR image, age of onset, and clinical course were of great prognostic value to make appropriate long-term rehabilitation and education programs.