Patient's question:
The body color has darkened, breathing is somewhat rapid, and has not eaten for two days (placed in the hospital's incubator). Now the condition has improved slightly, the body color is normal, and has eaten a little milk. Could you please ask the experts if there is a high chance of long-term aftereffects in this situation? Thank you very much for your answer!Doctor's answer:
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE): Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is brain injury in fetuses and newborns caused by hypoxia and reduced or cessation of cerebral blood flow due to perinatal factors. It is more common in full-term infants and is one of the common causes of childhood neurological disability. Due to selective brain injury, all lesions in both cerebral hemispheres are characterized by seizures within the first 24 hours after birth, insensitivity to anticonvulsant drugs, and symptoms and signs of cerebral edema, such as bulging fontanelles and separation of cranial sutures. Lesions in the thalamus and brainstem nuclei are characterized by persistent seizures, and brainstem dysfunction such as fixed pupils, absence of sucking and swallowing reflexes. However, there are no symptoms and signs of cerebral edema and intracranial hypertension.