New research released June 16, 2017 in Pediatric Neurology validates a new clinical MRI scoring system for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). This new scoring system can help medical practitioners more accurately counsel parents about what their child’s short- and long-term outcomes may look like and help guide treatment and therapy decisions for the child. MRI Injury…
Oxygen Deprivation at Birth, Preeclampsia, Other Factors Increased Autism Risk Up to 44% New research in the American Journal of Perinatology conducted by Kaiser-Permanente researchers has tied complications such as birth asphyxia (oxygen deprivation at birth, formally known as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, or HIE) to autism spectrum disorders (ASD), a variety of neurodevelopmental abnormalities characterized by…
Some babies with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) may have other health issues relating to the failure or dysfunction of other organs, such as the kidneys, liver or intestines. Why is this? Babies who have been impacted by birth asphyxia sometimes demonstrate a reflex called the “mammalian diving reflex.” When oxygen supply is limited around the time…
New research finds that maternal obesity in early pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of birth asphyxia (hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy) and cerebral palsy. These new findings highlight the importance of informing mothers about potential birth-related complications and risks. Researchers from the University of Michigan and Sweden’s Karolinska Institute found that not only does being obese…
New research conducted by the Perelman School of Medicine finds that combining Cytotec and Foley catheters for labor induction speeds up the process of labor. Some have taken this to mean that using these two items is a safe way to reduce labor time, sparing mothers nearly four hours of labor and saving hospitals money….
Researchers have completed preliminary clinical trials that indicate erythropoietin (EPO) may be useful in helping protect babies’ brains against damage caused by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. The study looked at the efficacy of EPO when paired with hypothermia therapy (also known as brain cooling, head cooling, or whole-body cooling, depending on technique type). Their work, presented at…
Birth injuries can cause serious developmental disabilities and cerebral palsy. In 3 to 5 out of 1,000 births, babies are injured due to a lack of oxygen to their brain (an injury known as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, or HIE). Researchers are constantly looking for new ways to decrease the severity of brain damage in babies with…
Summary: New research in Clinical Perinatology explains the difficulty of diagnosing hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) injuries in premature babies. The study describes differences in the causes, mechanisms, signs and symptoms of brain injuries in babies of different gestational ages, and points out similarities and differences in babies that are full-term, more mature preterm babies, and extremely…
Last year, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) announced that it would provide a ‘fast track’ designation to GW Pharmaceuticals’ intravenous cannabidiol treatment for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, or HIE. This designation is granted to speed the development of products that treat serious or life-threatening conditions when those products show that they can address unmet medical needs….
How Does HIE and Brain Cooling Relate to Medical Malpractice? Brain cooling is a procedure that treats hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), which is a neonatal brain injury often caused by medical mistakes. Medical mistakes are a patient safety problem – they often can be prevented, but when proper care is not provided, patients are harmed. It is the duty…
