Perinatal hypoxia

Abstract

Introduction: Perinatal asphyxia (PA) remains one of the most pressing problems in the world. Late-onset outcomes in neonates who have experienced asphyxia are unclear. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate long-term outcomes of early school age (ESA) children with PA. Methods: The case group includes children of ESA (8-9 years) (n = 32), who had hypoxia/asphyxia at birth, the control group - ESA children who didn‘t experience hypoxia/asphyxia at birth (n = 16). Clinical neurological examination and assessment of psychomotor development in ESA were accomplished using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III). Results: We have found 62.5% (n=20) of neurological disorders (p=0,004) and 40.6% (n=13) of psychomotor disorders (p=0,048) in the case group: increased deep tendon reflexes of the lower extremities (21.9%), epilepsy (12.5%), hearing impairments - 3.1%, visual disturbances - 12.5%. Attention deficit disorders - 31.3%, learning difficulties - 21.9%, mental disorders - 12.5%, language disorders - 9.4%. Low general IQ (< 79) was found in 15.6% of children in the case group. The children with psychomotor disorders had a statistically significant increase in neurological problems (p = 0.000). 84.4 percent (n = 27) hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) was diagnosed in the case group. In ESA 55.6% neurological disorders, 25.9% – attention deficit disorders, 22.2% - learning difficulties, 18.5%. - low general IQ, 14.8% - epilepsy, 11.1% - mental disorders, 7.4% – language disorders. Conclusion: In the children who experienced PA, more than half of them had neurological disorders at ESA and less than half of them had psychomotor disorders.