Abstract
ObjectiveTo evaluate whether HRV measures are predictive of neurological outcome in babies with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).Study DesignThis case-control investigation included 20 term encephalopathic newborns treated with systemic hypothermia in a regional NICU. Electrocardiographic data were collected continuously during hypothermia. Spectral analysis of beat-to-beat heart rate interval was used to quantify HRV. HRV measures were compared between infants with adverse outcome (death or neurodevelopmental impairment at 15 months, n=10) and those with favorable outcome (survivors without impairment, n=10).ResultsHRV differentiated infants by outcome during hypothermia through post-rewarming, with the best distinction between groups at 24 hours and after 80 hours of life.ConclusionsHRV during hypothermia treatment distinguished HIE babies who subsequently died or had neurodevelopmental impairment from intact survivors. This physiological biomarker may identify infants in need of adjuvant neuroprotective interventions. These findings warrant further investigation in a larger population of infants with HIE.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
