Perinatal Asphyxia Flashcards
What is perinatal asphyxia?
Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy
How does perinatal asphyxia present?
Baby may have absent heart rate and not be breathing
Where is the blood supply distributed to in perinatal asphyxia?
Preserved blood supply to the CNS, myocardium and adrenals.
Blood to the viscera is compromised.
What is encephalopathy?
Abnormal neurologic function and consciousness such as abnormal tone, reflexes, autonomic dysfunction and seizures
Why is there two stages of damage following perinatal asphyxia?
The first lot of hypoxia causes neuronal injury. Thereafter reperfusion and resuscitation are performed which causes glutamate and free radical release alongside apoptosis which causes further neuronal death.
How is hypoxic-ischaemic encephalothy (due to perinatal asphyxia) treated?
Decrease energy depletion (give glucose and induce hypothermia), inhibit glutamate release, inhibit inflammatory reaction, prevent free radical synthesis
Why is hypothermia induced to treat hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy in neonates?
It reduces cerebral metabolism, energy use and the accumulation of excitotoxic amino acids, reduces NOS activity and decreases free radical activity too.
How is group B streptococcus infection in the newborn treated?
With benzypenicillin
