Neurodevelopmental outcome at seven years in term, acidotic newborns

The objective was to follow up a cohort of acidotic full-term infants with or without hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and determine if at 7 years they displayed any neurodevelopmental delays. Children (n=44) were divided according to those with mild (n=25) or severe (n=19) acidosis and were then further subdivided into those with or without HIE. Participants were assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IVUK) and Achenbach Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). No differences in WISC-IVUK scores in children without HIE irrespective of the cord pH values were found. Children with HIE grade I scored significantly higher in perceptual reasoning than those with grade III (p<0.01). CBCL scores revealed no differences between groups. Findings suggest evidence of impairment at school-age that correlates with the degree of encephalopathy. Acidosis without the presence of clinical encephalopathy was associated with normal outcome.