What You Need to Know About Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Giving birth is both an exhausting and emotional experience, but the joy of seeing your baby for the first time is definitely worth the pain. However, we cannot discount the fact that many complications can occur during childbirth, putting the lives of both the mother and baby in danger. Unfortunately, such complications often have long-term repercussions, which is why you need to be aware of the most dangerous one of the bunch: Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE). If you have never heard about this condition before, check out the following points to learn more about its risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

The term Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy is certainly a mouthful. However, it is pretty easy to understand once you analyze each word separately. Here is a breakdown of what every word means:

Overall, HIE refers to a condition that infants might develop due to restricted oxygen flow. This lack of oxygen cuts the baby’s blood flow to the brain cells, causing severe damage. Fortunately, HIE is not as widespread as many people believe, considering that just 3 out of every 1000 infants suffer from it. Nonetheless, it remains the main reason behind infant fatalities in the United States, as 25-50% of the babies affected by it die a few days after birth.

HIE can occur during pregnancy and birth. In some cases, it occurs during the postnatal phase. Generally speaking, most of the risk factors of HIE can be eliminated to ensure that the baby is born healthy. Mothers that have drug or alcohol abuse problems or suffer from hypotension/hypertension and cardiovascular diseases are more likely to birth children who have this condition. If the infant develops HIE at birth, the causes of the condition include placental rupture, prolonged labor, and medical negligence. A birth injury lawyer can help you fight for your rights in case you believe that medical negligence was the main cause of your baby’s developing Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy. Since certain drugs can heighten the risk of the birth complications that lead to HIE, pharmaceutical companies may also be held liable if they fail to inform doctors of the link between their medications and Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy can cause a myriad of symptoms depending on how severe the condition is. Blue lips are usually a sign of perinatal asphyxia. Moreover, doctors often regard shallow breathing, low HR, and acidosis as hallmarks of HIE. Because mothers have trouble spotting these signs, you can refer to other indicators that are easier to pinpoint. Babies suffering from HIE typically get overstimulated easily compared to their healthy peers. They may also have seizures and find trouble latching or crying. If discovered late or left untreated, HIE can bring about more severe conditions like cerebral palsy which causes stiff muscles and lack of balance. Since these conditions lead to life-long complications, it is important to spot the symptoms of HIE right away to be able to come up with a treatment plan.

In addition to monitoring the signs mentioned above, doctors may resort to several tests to reach a definitive diagnosis. These include cardiography and electroencephalographic scans that are used to spot cardiac problems and monitor brain activity. If a hearing impairment is suspected, doctors might also conduct a hearing exam. As Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy can affect organs, especially the liver and kidneys, medical professionals may have to run tests to see if everything is functioning as it should. 

Doctors have to act fast to ensure that the infants affected by HIE do not develop long-term complications. As of now, the treatment options regarding Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy are somewhat limited. The most reliable technique used to treat HIE is hypothermia therapy. The affected baby is laid on cooling blankets to reduce the temperature of the brain. Then, doctors gradually increase the infant’s body temperature back to normal levels. As hypothermia therapy takes its course, the baby is monitored closely to spot signs of abnormal brain activity and seizures. 

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is a serious condition that manifests before, during, and after birth. Because HIE can cause dangerous side effects that your child may have to manage for the rest of their life, acting fast is always your best bet. By pinpointing HIE symptoms and closely monitoring your infant, doctors will be able to interfere and stop further complications from occurring. It is important not to panic if you discover that your baby has HIE, as survival rates are high as long as the condition is promptly discovered. Moreover, some babies make a full recovery and are able to lead healthy lives after receiving treatment.