Neurocognitive outcomes following neonatal encephalopathy

Abstract

Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) from perinatal asphyxia (PA) has long been recognized as an important cause of lasting motor impairment in term newborns. NE has also, more recently, been implicated as an important risk factor for cognitive and behavioral difficulties as these children age. Newborns with mild NE appear to have normal neurocognitive outcomes, while those survivors with severe NE tend to have profound impediments. Yet, newborns with moderate NE seem to exhibit a wide range of cognitive outcomes - regardless of motor function - making prognostication in these children difficult in the newborn period. Since deficits are often subtle and remote from the initial injury, cognitive impairment is likely underdiagnosed in survivors of moderate perinatal NE. Therefore, it is important for ongoing formal neuropsychological evaluation, as well as parental and teacher education, to help aid in the cognitive and behavioral rehabilitation resulting from NE and perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.