Role of Citicoline in Treatment of Moderate to Severe Birth Asphyxia: A Pilot Project

Abstract

An observational cohort study was performed at Neonatal Intensive Care Units of two military hospitals to see the effects of citicoline in neonates diagnosed to have moderate to severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. Twenty newborns fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected for the study and were given injection citicoline via the IV route. The outcomes in the immediate newborn period, including neurological features and mortality, were studied. Only one baby, who was given injection citicoline, died during the study period and 19 babies were discharged and sent home after establishment of oral feeds. Citicoline was found promising in treatment of newborns with moderate to severe birth asphyxia. Key Words: Hypoxia, Ischemia, Birth asphyxia, HIE.