ICD-10 P91.60 | ICD-9-CM 768.70 | |
Neonatal encephalopathy (NE), also known as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), is defined by signs and symptoms of abnormal neurological function in the first few days of life in an infant born at term. It is commonly caused by birth asphyxia.
Contents
Signs and symptoms
In neonates born at or beyond 35 weeks, neonatal encephalopathy may present itself as the following symptoms:
Diagnosis
Cord blood gas analysis can be used to determine if there is perinatal hypoxia/asphyxia, which are potential causes of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy or cerebral palsy, and give insight into causes of intrapartum fetal distress. Cord blood gas analysis is indicated for high-risk pregnancies, in cases where C-sections occurred due to fetal compromise, if there were abnormal fetal heart rate patterns, Apgar scores of 3 or lower, intrapartum fever, or multifetal gestation.
Evidence of brain injury related to the hypoxic-ischemic events that cause neonatal encephalopathy can be seen with brain MRIs or magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging.
Neonatal encephalopathy may be assessed using Sarnat staging.
Treatment
Neonatal encephalopathy is treated using hypothermia therapy.
Epidemiology
Overall, the relative incidence of neonatal encephalopathy is estimated to be between 2 and 9 per 1000 term births. In 2013 it was estimated to have resulted in 644,000 deaths down from 874,000 deaths in 1990.