Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy Flashcards
What is HIE?
An acquired syndrome of acute brain injury characterized by neonatal encephalopathy and evidence of intrapartum hypoxia
What is the prognosis for infants with moderate or severe HIE?
25-90% chance of developmental delay and/or CP, depending on severity and treatment
What is neonatal encephalopathy?
Abnormal level of consciousness and abnormal tone and reflexes, often with abnormal breathing, abnormal feeding and seizures
What are the causes of neonatal encephalopathy? (6)
- Sepsis
- Brain malformation/damage
- Metabolic abnormality (e.g. Hypoglycaemia)
- Drug withdrawal (neonatal abstinence)
- Abnormal brain perfusion (shock, cardiac failure, trauma)
- Intrapartum hypoxia and ischaemia
What is birth asphyxia?
Failure to initiate and sustain spontaneous breathing after birth. Shown by low apgars
What causes birth asphyxia? (5)
Sedation via maternal medication/drug abuse Fetal infection Fetal congenital anomaly Trauma/ haemorrhage Intrapartum hypoxia and ischaemia
What is intrapartum hypoxia?
Impaired gas exchange leading to progressive fetal hypoxaemia and hypercapnea with a significant metabolic acidosis
What is the normal base deficit at birth
Base excess -0.3 to -6.3 (base deficit of 0.3- 6.3)
What 2 parameters on cord gas/early blood gas show hypoxia/asphyxia severe enough to cause CP?
BE and pH. Indicate metabolic acidosis. BE >12mmol/l and art cord pH
What signs are suggestive of intrapartum hypoxia or fetal asphyxia severe enough to cause CP?
Sentinel hypoxic event Sudden deterioration of FHR pattern Multisystem involvement Imaging evidence Apgars of 0-6 for >5 min
At what point is base deficit abnormal? What does this suggest?
Base deficit of >10mmol/l is abnormal and suggests intrapartum hypoxia
How does the fetus respond to hypoxia and ischaemia in utero?
Response: fetal bradycardia ms diving reflex (blood is diverted to the brain)
What occurs in prolonged hypoxia?
Cardiac failure
Anaerobic metabolism –> accumulation of lactic acid –> metabolic acidosis
What brain regions are affected by hypoxia? What is the pattern of injury!
Basal ganglia and subcortical white matter
Injury follows in phases
What ratio represents failed oxidative metabolism?
A decreasing PCr/Pi ratio
What does a decreasing PCr/Pi ratio represent?
Failure of oxidative metabolism
What are the 6 parameters used to stage HIE?
Level of consciousness Activity Neuromuscular control Primitive reflexes Autonomic function Seizures
How many stages of HIE are there?
3
What are the 9 parameters used in the Thompson HIE score?
Limb tone Level of consciousness Visible fits Posture Moro Grasp Suck Respiratory effort Fontanel