Long-term outcome after neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy

Abstract

Outcome of full-term infants with neonatal encephalopathy of hypoxic-ischemic origin is often assessed in infancy or early childhood and data on outcome in childhood and adolescence is limited. MRI performed in the neonatal period has made a huge contribution to recognition of different patterns of injury. These different patterns of injury are related to the severity of later motor and cognitive disabilities. Long-term follow-up shows that cognitive and memory difficulties may follow even in children without motor deficits. It is therefore recommended to perform follow-up assessment into childhood in children with and without adverse neurological outcome in early infancy.