Occurs when a baby doesn't receive enough oxygen before, during or just after birth

Aetiology

Causes include:

• Maternal shock
• Intrapartum haemorrhage
• Prolapsed cord, causing compression of the cord during birth
• Nuchal cord, where the cord is wrapped around the neck of the baby

Complications: Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy

• Multi-organ damage due to tissue hypoxia
  • Some hypoxia is normal during birth, however prolonged or severe hypoxia leads to ischaemic brain damage

Clinical features

• Poor Apgar scores - active resuscitation required

Management

• Neurodevelopmental sequeli - variable prognosis
  • Can cause cerebral palsy
• Management will be coordinated by specialists in neonatology, on the neonatal unit - involves supportive care with neonatal resuscitation and ongoing optimal ventilation, circulatory support, nutrition, acid base balance and treatment of seizures
• Babies near or at term considered to have HIE can benefit from therapeutic hypothermia - reduces the risk of cerebral palsy, developmental delay, learning disability, blindness and death