Outcome of non-cooled asphyxiated infants with under-recognised or delayed-onset encephalopathy

To describe the clinical characteristics, MRI findings and neurodevelopmental outcome of infants with documented perinatal asphyxia and seizure onset within 24 hours after birth who were not selected for therapeutic hypothermia (TH).

Retrospective cohort study.

(Near-)term infants with documented perinatal asphyxia referred to two Dutch level III neonatal units with neonatal encephalopathy (NE) and seizures <24 hours after birth not treated with TH. Infants with a diagnosis other than NE following perinatal asphyxia causing the seizures were excluded.

Clinical characteristics, findings on cranial MRI performed within 8 days after birth and neurodevelopmental outcome assessed using the Griffiths Mental Development Scales at 18 months or Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-Third Edition at 2 years of age.

39 infants were included. All had abnormalities on MRI. Predominant white matter/watershed injury was the most common pattern of injury, 23 (59%). 7 (18%) infants had predominant basal ganglia/thalamus injury, 3 (8%) near total brain injury, 5 (13%) arterial ischaemic stroke, 1 (3%) an intraventricular haemorrhage. Adverse outcome was seen in 51%: 6 died, 11 developed cerebral palsy (spastic n=8, dyskinetic n=3), 2 had neurodevelopmental delay, 1 had severe hearing impairment.

All infants with documented perinatal asphyxia and seizure onset within 24 hours after birth who did not receive TH had abnormalities on MRI. 51% had an adverse outcome. Better methods for recognition of infants who might benefit from TH and careful neurodevelopmental follow-up are urgently needed.