Prediction of outcome after perinatal asphyxia

Perinatal asphyxia at term remains a significant cause of infant death and neurodevelopmental impairment, probably causing 20% of all cases of cerebral palsy. This review examines indicators that can help determine the prognosis after suspected asphyxia in term infants, including obstetric information, clinical examination, and diagnostic methods based on neurophysiology, neuroimaging, and biochemistry. New data confirm that many frequently used indicators are generally not specific predictors, while simple electroencephalographic methods, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging can have high positive predictive values even when used quite soon after birth.