Neuro developmental outcome of preterm babies with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

ABSTRACT

Background: Neonatal encephalopathy, following severe birth asphyxia or perinatal hypoxia is referred to as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Cerebral ischemia occurs as a consequence of cerebral oedema and reduced cerebral perfusion due to myocardial dysfunction as a result of hypoxic cardiomyopathy. Sarnat stage I -100% recovery, HIE stage II - 80% normal and 20% mortality and HIE stage III - 50% mortality and 50% morbidity. Relatively few studies have been made on outcome in HIE affected preterm infants. The aims and objectives of this study was to find out the neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants with HIE.Methods: This study is an observational clinical study, undertaken in Kempegowda Institute of Medical sciences and research centre, Bangalore, India. Study was performed between November 2016 to September 2018. 31 preterm infants with HIE were included in the study. Regular follow-up was done at 3, 6, 9, 12.15, 18 months by using Trivandrum development screening chart (TDSC) to stage II HIE infants.Results: The incidence of abnormal neurological outcome was 12.9%. Out of 31 preterm babies, stage I were 24, stage II was 4 (100% morbidity) and stage III were 3 (100% mortality).Conclusions: In present study, stage II HIE had 100% morbidity and moderate disability, stage III 100% mortality. Thus at 3-5 months of age during follow-up, when authors identify developmental delay, it is an ideal time to start interventional therapy to improve long term outcome.