Delayed development in newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy stage-2.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of delayed development in newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) stage 2 presenting to Nishtar Hospital Multan. Study Design: Descriptive Case Series. Setting: Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital and The Institute of Child Health, Multan. Period: August 2019 to February 2020. Material & Methods: Children with birth asphyxia (HIE stage 2) admitted in NICU were registered. The basic demographic information including name, age, sex, address and telephone number was recorded in a specifically designed proforma. Children were followed up at 3 months and developmental milestones were recorded in the proforma. Results: Mean age of newborns was 17.15±15.95 hours and mean weight was 2.88±0.28 kg. There were 55 male newborns (67.9%) and 26 female newborn babies (32.1%). Male to female ratio was 2.1:1. Frequency of delayed development of the beabies in our study was 34.6% while 53 babies (65.4%) had normal development assessed through milestones achieved at 3 months. Milestones achieved at 3 months were; head control in 54 newborns (66.7%), lifts head and chest above couch in prone position in 50 newborns (61.7%), head above line of body on ventral suspension in 55 newborns (67.9%), follows light through an arc of 180 degrees/defensive blink in 21 newborns (25.9%), turns to nearby voice in 38 newborns (46.9%), happy response to mother’s face when feeding in 63 newborns (77.8%). Conclusion: Frequency of delayed development of the newborns with stage-2 HIE in our study was high.