Evaluation of psychomotor behavioral and sensory development in hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy patients

Introduction: Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) described as neonatal encephalopathies accompanied bu perinatal asphyxia and/or proven hypoxic brain damage. The only known neuroprotective treatment is theuropathic hypothermia. As well as it can cause neonatal deaths and multiorgan failure in short term, it can also cause cerebral palsy, neurodevelopmental disorders, behavioural difficulties and sensory disorders. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to define clinical features of the subjects, examining their results from neurodevelopmental evaluation tests and compare them with their behavioral patterns and sensory profiles which are obtained in this study. Material and Methods: 49 patients were enrolled in this study whose medical care are given in Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Subdivision of Child Neurology. Demographic and clinical features, results from neurodevelopmental evaluation tests, behavioral patterns and sensory profiles of these patients' are examined. The relationship between their neurodevelopmental evaluation test results, behavioral patterns and sensory profiles according to clinical features; behavioral patterns and sensory profiles according to neurodevelopmental evaluation test results and behavioral patterns according to sensory profiles are analyzed. Results: No relationship was found between neurodevelopmental evaluation test results according to the stage of HİE and hypothermia method. Most of the patients whose neurodevelopmental test results were below cut-off scores in the first year of life found to be in normal range in two years evaluation. Altough the majority of the subject did not show behavioral difficulties, five patients' results were suggestive for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder whose at least one of the neurodevelopmental test score was below cut-off. Sensory profile was found to be variable. In the patients whose behavioral patterns were attention deficit hyperactivity disorder alike, the sensory profile was tend to be avoider and seeker; whereas the patients who has neurodevelopmental disorders their sensory profile was tend to be hyporeactive for sensory stimulations. Conclusion: The findings of this study strongly suggests that regular screenings for neurodevelopmental disorders and if present taking measures as early as possible is crucial for these patients. Additionally being sensitive for those patients' behavioral patterns and sensory profiles while their visits would enhance their quality of lives. Keywords: Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Behavioral Disorders, Sensory Processing Disorders