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Neuropediatrics 1999; 30(2): 83-89
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-973465
Original articles

© Hippokrates Verlag GmbH Stuttgart

Neonatal Neurological Examination in Infants with Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy: Correlation with MRI Findings

E. Mercuri1 , A. Guzzetta3 , L. Haataja1 , F. Cowan1 , M. Rutherford1 , S. Counsell2 , M. Papadimitriou1 , G. Cioni3 , L. Dubowitz1
  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Hammersmith Campus, Imperial College, London,
  • 2Robert Steiner MRI Unit, Hammersmith Campus, Imperial College, London,
  • 3Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Department of Reproduction and Developmental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
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Publication History

Publication Date:
12 March 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Neurological examination and magnetic resonance imaging were performed in the neonatal period in 58 full-term infants who presented with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the patterns of neurological abnormalities and their correlation to brain lesions on MRI. The prognostic value of the neurological examination performed at different times in the neonatal period was also evaluated.

Our results showed that specific clinical patterns can be observed in infants with HIE and these can be related to the pattern of lesion on brain MRI. In particular, while infants with normal MRI or minimal changes tend to show only minor tone abnormalities after the first week of life, infants with more severe lesions such as basal ganglia lesions show persistent and diffuse neurological abnormalities. Infants with white matter changes but intact basal ganglia show a different clinical pattern with improved sucking reflex and behaviour and less severe tone abnormalities.

Our results also suggested that the neurological examination performed after the second week of life is a reliable indicator of outcome in these infants.

Key words

Neurological examination - Newborn - HIE - MRI