Electroencephalographic monitorization of infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and factors affecting long term prognosis

Electroencephalographic Monitorization of Infants With Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy and Factors Affecting Long Term PrognosisAbstractİntroduction and Aim: Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is clinical condition characterized by brain damage due to systemic hypoxia and decreased cerebral blood flow. This situation can lead to multiple neurologic deficit. For this reason, to determine the subjects thought to have perinatal asphyxia in early period is important for estimating prognosis. In this study we aimed to determine signs of HİE that may help evaluating prognosis of patients.Methods: Our study included 32 patients (16 boy (% 50); 16 girl (% 50)), with gestational ages between 36-40 weeks, who were diagnosed as HIE between april 2006 and march 2008. Clinical findings were evaluated according to birth weights, 1st And 5th minute apghar scores, delivery types, and modified Sarnat and Sarnat staging.Cranial MR and EEG results were recorded and developmental tests were applied for determination of effects on long term prognosis.Results: Statistically important relationship between abnormal EEG background activity and developmental stages; cranial MR results and developmental test results;modified Sarnat staging and mortality; presence of convulsions and developmental test results, were found.Birth weights of developmentally retarded patients were significantly lower compared to developmentally normal ones. Relationship between sarnat staging and developmental tests was not statistically significant. Correlation between 1st minute apgar and 5th minute apgar scores and developmental tests was not found statistically significant also statistically significant relationship between gestational age and gender of the patients was not found.Conclusions: Although decrease in perinatal asphyxia incidence is maintained as a result of improvement in neonatal resuscitation and technical properties of neonatal intensive care facilities, it?s negative effects on long term prognosis and mortality is still of concern.For that reason, motor and cognitive developments of newborns with HIE should be followed using clinical findings, imaging studies, and EEG results for evaluation of long term prognosis.So that minimalization of unfavourable results may be possible with initialization of treatment and rehabilitation studies in early period.