The factors affecting neurodevelopmental outcomes in HIE

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) has different neurological outcomes.

We wanted to see if there was any developmental delay in neonates with hypoxia ischemic encephalopathy who were given therapeutic hypothermia.

Retrospective cohort study.

The Denver developmental screening test II (DDST-II) was performed to newborns who had been applied to therapeutic hypothermia.

There were 69 male and 36 female newborns. The mean 1-min and 5-min Apgar scores were 4.72 ± 2.51 and 7.03 ± 2.017, respectively. The mean pH and mean base excess were 6.92 ± 0.1 and -18.05 ± 5.72, respectively. The most common risk factors were meconium staining (17.1%). There were 67 patients with Stage I, 20 with Stage II, and 18 with Stage III. Diffusion restriction was seen in 13 patients. 28 patients had seizures. In aEEG, 12 patients had burst suppression. Three (2.9%) infants died during hospitalization. 19 patients missed follow-up appointments. Thirteen patients had abnormal development according to DDST-II. Seven patients had gross motor function delays and were diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Three had language skill delays, but two of them had speech disorders after two years of age. Two had delayed milestones. Two had delays in fine motor skills but did not have any sequels after two years of age. A significant difference was found between seizures and the severity of Sarnat stage, intubation in the delivery room with developmental delay. Apgar scores were significantly lower in patients with CP.

We should closely follow-up neonates who had low Apgar scores, seizures, a high Sarnat stage, were intubated in the delivery room.