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Neuropediatrics 2007; 38(2): 71-77
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-984449
Original Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Motor Outcome at the Age of One after Perinatal Hypoxic-ischemic Encephalopathy

P. E. M. van Schie 1 , 2 , J. G. Becher 1 , A. J. Dallmeijer 1 , F. Barkhof 3 , M. M. Weissenbruch 4 , R. J. Vermeulen 5
  • 1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • 2Department of Physical Therapy, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • 3Department of Radiology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • 4Department of Pediatrics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • 5Department of Child Neurology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Further Information

Publication History

received 1.9.2006

accepted 30.5.2007

Publication Date:
22 August 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Objective: The aim of this report is to describe the motor outcome in one year-old children who were born at full-term with perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Relationships between motor ability tests and neurological examination at one year, and between these tests and neonatal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were investigated.

Participants and Methods: 32 surviving children, born full-term with perinatal HIE, are included in this report. All children had a neonatal MRI. At one year, motor ability was assessed with the Alberta Infant Motor Scale and the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (2nd version). Neurological examinations included the neurological optimality score (NOS).

Results: At one year, 14 children (44%) had normal motor ability, nine (28%) had mildly delayed, and nine had significantly delayed motor ability. The NOS ranged from 14.6-27 points. All children with normal motor ability had (near) optimal NOS, however, not all children with high NOS had normal motor ability. Eleven children (34%) had normal neonatal MRI; at one year, six of them had normal, and five had mildly delayed motor ability. Eight children with normal motor ability showed abnormalities on neonatal MRI.

Conclusion: Neonatal brain MRI does not predict motor outcome at one year. Motor ability tests and neurological examinations should be used in a complementary manner to describe outcome after HIE.

Key words

Motor ability - hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy - MRI - Alberta Infant Motor Scale - Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II - Neurological Optimality Score

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Correspondence

P. E. M. van SchieMSc, PT 

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine

VU University Medical Center

P.O. Box 7057

1007 MB Amsterdam

The Netherlands

Phone: +31/20/444 01 61

Fax: +31/20/444 07 87

Email: pem.vanschie@vumc.nl