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Updated: Mar 7, 2026
Early Pathological and Magnetic Resonance Detection of Cerebral Injury Using a Rat Model of Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
Published on: October 28, 2022
Clinical characteristics predicting abnormal brain magnetic resonance image findings in hypoxic-ischemic
Sook Kyung Yum1, Cheong-Jun Moon1, Young-Ah Youn1
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
Insights
Clinical signs like decreased muscle tone and low Apgar scores in infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) can predict abnormal brain MRI findings, suggesting potential for poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Neurology
- Pediatric Neuroimaging
Background:
- Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a serious condition in newborns.
- Predicting neurodevelopmental outcomes in HIE infants is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify clinical characteristics associated with abnormal brain MRI in HIE infants.
- To improve the accuracy of predicting poorer outcomes in HIE.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of HIE infants in a neonatal intensive care unit.
- Comparison of perinatal and clinical findings based on brain MRI results.
Main Results:
- 69 HIE infants studied; 87% had abnormal brain MRIs.
- Decreased muscle tone and lower Apgar scores correlated with abnormal MRIs.
- Hypotonia and low Apgar scores significantly increased the risk of abnormal MRI findings.
Conclusions:
- Muscle tone and Apgar scores are early indicators of abnormal brain MRI in HIE.
- These clinical signs may predict poor neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- Early identification warrants closer monitoring and follow-up with MRI.
Background:
The aim of this study was to elucidate the specific clinical characteristics associated with abnormal brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) findings in hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) infants in order to discern how to predict poorer outcomes more accurately.
Methods:
A retrospective data analysis of HIE infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital was performed. Baseline perinatal information and physical and neurological findings were compared in HIE infants according to the presence of abnormal brain MRI findings.
Results:
A total of 69 infants were enrolled in the study. Of these, 48(69.6%) infants received therapeutic hypothermia, and 60(87.0%) infants presented abnormal findings on brain MRI. Decreased muscle tone and lower Apgar scores were more often observed in infants with abnormal MRI results(P<0.05). The presence of hypotonia and 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores equal to or less than the yielded cut-off values (5.5 and 7.5, respectively)were associated with a 7.23-, 9.14-, 9.78-fold increased risk of having abnormal brain MRI results.
Conclusions:
As muscle tone and Apgar scores were associated with abnormal brain MRI findings in HIE infants, these clinical characteristics may serve as early indicators of poor neurodevelopmental outcomes and signal the need for special attention and in-depth follow-up by MRI.
