A Comprehensive Clinical Approach to Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy in Term Infants: A Review
Chakradhar Maddela*
Consultant Neonatologist, Super Speciality, Neonatology, ESIC Medical College,
Sanath Nagar, Hyderabad, India.
*Corresponding Author: Chakradhar Maddela, Consultant Neonatologist, Super Speciality, Neonatology, Sanath Nagar, Hyderabad, India.
Received: January 03, 2022; Published: January 31, 2022
Abstract
Introduction: Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is the manifestation of multi-organ dysfunction after perinatal asphyxia. Out of 135 million live born babies in each year globally, there were 1.2million intrapartum still births, 717,000 intrapartum neonatal deaths, 1.15million cases of neonatal encephalopathy (NE), 287,000 neonatal deaths due to NE and 413,000 babies survived with neurodevelopmental impairment [1]. The incidence of HIE is 1-2 per 1000 births in rich countries and 10-20 per 1000 births [2] in low to middle income countries. Approximately ninety nine percent of HIE case related deaths are taking place in developing countries. It is a huge burden on these countries for tackling. The available trusted specific treatment, therapeutic hypothermia (HT) is less implemented and showed varied results of outcome. There was not much progress in preventing these deaths in low to middle income countries (LMIC).
Methods: An online and manual literature search was conducted in November 2021 through PubMed, Cochrane library, Google Scholar, Online Google chrome search, texts and articles related to the title topic with keywords HIE, Post-resuscitation neonatal care, term infants, management and comprehensive approach. Articles were also collected from citations and references of the searched study papers. Search restricted to English language, free full text articles, human and neonates - term and late preterm. Animal studies and studies involving preterm infants were excluded. Eighteen study articles from PubMed, 17 articles from Cochrane library and another 22 articles relevant to the title topic were collected. These articles were analysed after going through the tile and abstract sections.
Results: The collected study papers were narrated with the following subheadings - definition, pathophysiology, HIE staging, cooling criteria, cooling in High income countries (HIC), HIE and cooling in LMIC, HIE and therapeutic strategies at low resource setting (LRS), cooling HIE cases who do not fit into cooling criteria, newer potential therapeutic strategies for HIE, outcome predictors of HIE, counselling for parents, long-term health problems and conclusions.
Definition: Asphyxia is a clinical condition that occurs from inadequate gas exchange and characterized by hypoxia, hypercarbia and acidosis. Perinatal asphyxia occurs during or prior to labour. Perinatal asphyxia is failure to initiate and sustain breathing at birth (World Health Organization 1997) [3]. HIE is the multi-organ manifestation after perinatal asphyxia. “NE is a syndrome of disturbed neurological function in the earliest days of life in an infant born at or beyond 35 weeks of gestation, manifested by a subnormal level of consciousness or seizures and often accompanied by difficulty with initiating and maintaining respiration and depression of tone and reflexes.” [4].
Keywords: Hypoxic Ischaemic; Encephalopathy; Term Infants; Asphyxia.
American college of obstetrics and gynaecologists 2014 (4) made the following assessment criteria while labelling a case as perinatal asphyxia:
- An Apgar score < 5 at 5 and 10 minutes.
- Evidence of acidaemic state in foetus or new-born (pH < 7, BE -12mmol or both).
- Acute brain injury in neonatal neuroimaging (Magnetic resonance imaging -MRI/cranial ultrasound scanning - cUSS/ Computerized tomography - CT Brain).
- Multi-organ dysfunction in the early life of neonate with HIE.
- A sentinel event at or around birth (Antenatal haemorrhage, cord prolapse and uterine rupture, amniotic fluid embolism, maternal cardiovascular collapse and exsanguination of foetus).
- Abnormal foetal heart rate pattern during peripartum period.
- Patterns of brain injury consistent with HIE on imaging.
- Cerebral palsy - dyskinetic, spastic quadriplegia (late manifestation).
Pathophysiology
Term infants with apnoea at birth and peripartum foetal bradycardia after a sentinel event develop primary energy failure (acute hypoxic-ischemic effect). Primary energy failure is characterised by acute loss of ATP reserves, Na/K pump failure, Na+ influx, cytotoxic cerebral oedema, anaerobic glycolysis with lactic acidosis, loss of cellular function and neuronal cell death. After resuscitation, there is replenishment of ATP and baby enters into a latent phase characterised by cerebral hypo perfusion with decreased metabolism, initiation of increased intracellular Ca2+ entry with glutamate excitotoxicity and reduced electroencephalogram (EEG)/amplitude integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) activity. This latent phase continues for 6-15 hours and is followed by secondary energy failure. Latent phase is an important phase for application of neuroprotective strategies like therapeutic hypothermia (HT). Secondary energy failure is characterised by Ca2+ influx, glutamate excitotoxicity, secondary cytotoxic oedema, mitochondrial failure, reactive oxygen species (ROS) injury, cerebral hyper perfusion and cellular loss by apoptosis [5].
All resuscitated new-born babies should be assessed in the immediate post- natal life for features of HIE with Sarnat and Sarnat staging into mild, moderate and severe. The moderate and severe cases of HIE in term infants carry the risk of neonatal death and neurological sequelae [6].
HIE staging
- Stage 1 HIE (Sarnat and Sarnat) [7]: Is characterised by hyperirritability, hyper excitability, loss of sleep, sympathetic hyperactivity, lasts for a day and with excellent neurological outcome.
- Stage 2: Is characterised by depressed sensorium, hypotonia, hyporeflexia, parasympathetic hyperactivity and seizures.
- Stage 3: Is characterised by coma, no responsiveness, limp, reduced respiratory drive, areflexia, absent deep tendon reflexes, abnormal EEG and grave neurological outcome.
Thompson scoring system for HIE [8]
It is a clinical scoring system with 9 parameter signs namely muscle tone, level of consciousness, seizures, body posture, Moro reflex, grasp reflex, sucking reflex, respiratory pattern and tension of anterior fontanelle and scored 0 to 3. Reflexes, seizures and fontanelle do not carry score three. Scoring should be recorded daily for prognostication.
Prediction of HIE in post-resuscitated neonates
Unless we identify the HIE of moderate to severe grade within the window period of 6hours (preferably within 3hours for better motor outcomes, [9] after primary hypoxic-ischemic insult, neuroprotective and supportive measures cannot be initiated or referral to cooling centre is possible. Hence, it is crucial in detecting early HIE cases by cost effective clinical methods within 6hours.
Both one minute and five-minute Apgar scores of < 6 and neonatal resuscitation with bag-valve-mask ventilation at birth (White., et al. 2012) are reliable early predictors of moderate to severe HIE. Raised Troponin T and blood lactate are simple biochemical spot tests in predicting moderate to severe HIE [10].
Cooling criteria [11]
All eligible term infants and late preterm infants with HIE stages 2 and 3 (preterm infants > 36 weeks GA and/ > 1800 gm birth weight) should be protected with therapeutic hypothermia (core temperature 33.50C) within six hours after primary insult for reducing mortality and neurological sequelae. The following entry criteria used for HT [11].
- Gestational age > 36 weeks with < 6 hours of postnatal age
- Criteria A: Suggests severe metabolic acidosis with at least one of the following - 1) Poor Apgar scores < 5 at 10 minutes, 2) Cord or postnatal blood pH < 7 or base excess (BE) > -16mmol/L within one hour of life, 3) Prolonged resuscitation for 10 minutes.
- Criteria B: It is clinical criteria with altered sensorium and at least one of the following - 1) abnormal muscle tone, 2) abnormal reflexes (including primitive and autonomic reflexes), 3) poor or absent suck.
- Criteria C: Clinical seizures or abnormal EEG/aEEG pattern.
HIE and therapeutic hypothermia in high income countries [12,13]
[12] in a systematic review with 11 randomized control trial (RCT) trials which included 1505 participants (term and late preterm infants) with moderate to severe HIE. The review showed that the HT was beneficial to HIE infants with moderate to severe grade with favourable outcomes at 18 months of age - death and major disability (combined death and major disability - RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.68 - 0.83; and RD -0.15, 95% CI 0.20 - 0.10; NNTB 7).
Shah PS., et al. 2015 [13] in a meta-analysis of 13 clinical trials showed that HT is a trusted treatment for HIE with definitive decrease in binary outcomes of mortality and neuro developmental disability in childhood (HT n = 800, = HT 479, RR 0.74, 95%CI 0.65 - 0.83, Heterogeneity p = 0.07, test of oral effect p = < 0.0001).
All HIE babies with moderate to severe grade and more than > 36 weeks GA with chronological age of < 6 hours and fitting into criteria A, B and C should be treated with therapeutic hypothermia if available.
HIE and cooling in low to middle income countries
Most of the global neonatal deaths due to perinatal asphyxia are occurring in low to middle income countries (LMIC). These eligible babies are not treated with HT due to various reasons prevailing in these countries like [14]
- Paucity of tertiary neonatal intensive care centres equipped with men and machine.
- High-cost neonatal equipment for HT and CFM (cerebral function monitor).
- High incidence of home deliveries especially in rural areas with poor neonatal transport system. Precious time of early six hours of life is lapsed at primary care centres and during transport.
- High incidence of early onset neonatal sepsis (EOS) and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). In a recent study, [15] showed the safety and efficacy of HT in infants with HIE and EOS.
- Inclusion criteria for HT is not applicable in following circumstances like preterm and low birth weight HIE babies, congenital anomalies, late NICU admissions after six hours of life, mild HIE and life-threatening cardiorespiratory disorders.
In a meta-analysis, [14] showed that the HT in LMIC countries was not significantly lowered the primary outcome (mortality). Of 567 infants in seven RCTs, four studies were whole body cooling and three studies with selective head cooling. There were 15% mild, 48% moderate HIE cases and did not ventilate in 88% infants. Various indigenous simple cooling devices used for HT without statistical benefit (RR 0.74, 95% CI: 0.44 to 1.25). This could be because of poor efficacy of cooling devices.
A recent large multi-centric, multinational [16] in Southeast Asia showed that therapeutic hypothermia (servo control) in infants with neonatal encephalopathy in LMIC is not beneficial and more over showed increased neonatal mortality. Thus, this study suggested not to offer HT as standard care treatment for HIE infants in LMIC but needs more studies before recommendation.
HIE and therapeutic strategies at low resource setting
In a recent systematic review by [10] showed pooled evidence for three components of HIE namely 1. Prediction of HIE in resuscitated neonates at birth 2. Monitoring of HIE and 3. Potential management strategies for HIE at low resource setting. In a clinical situation where HT is neither available nor in time referral to cooling centre possible as in low to middle income countries (LMIC), the potential management strategies include to ensure normothermia/passive cooling/prevention of hyperthermia and prevention of secondary brain injury and multi organ dysfunction by ensuring cardio pulmonary stability, prophylactic early theophylline to prevent renal dysfunction, avoiding fluid restriction, adequate perfusion of brain and other organs, intravenous magnesium sulphate infusion, prophylactic phenobarbitone for prevention and early management of seizures, low dose erythropoietin and maintaining euglycemia. Therapeutic hypothermia is possible in LMIC countries with Phase Changing Material (Meera Cradle in India).
Cooling hie cases who do not fit into cooling criteria
[17] showed that cooling the new-borns that were excluded by inclusion criteria for HT, had better outcomes - both short and long term. Better outcomes were noticed in all study subgroups except in infants with major intra cranial haemorrhage. The percentage of poor outcomes among the subgroups were - cooled late 31%, postnatal collapse -38%, preterm (< 36 wk GA)-25%, major ICH80%, cardiac case-50%, surgical case-50% and with fulfilled entry critera-45%. Poor outcome was defined as either neonatal death or MDI/PDI < 70.
Other potential neuroprotective strategies for HIE
These strategies include allopurinol therapy, stem cell therapy and xenon inhalation with varying success.
- Allopurinol: Is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor. It is tried in reducing xanthine oxidase mediated free radical neuronal injury in HIE infants. In a meta-analysis (Chaudhari T., et al. 2012 -Cochrane database of systematic review, CDSR), Allopurinol did not show statistical benefit for death (RR 0.88; 95% CI 0.56-1.38; risk difference -0.04; 95% CI -0.18-0.10) and combined death and major disability (RR 0.78; 95% CI 0.56-1.08; risk difference -0.14; 95% CI -0.31-0.04) [18].
- Stem cell-based therapies: There is a potential role for stem cell-based therapies in HIE to repair or replace the injured neuronal cells. In a Cochrane review with three phase1, open label trials showed neither benefit nor harm of these therapies in preventing the binary outcomes of death and disability in HIE infants [19].
- XENON: Is a NMDA receptor antagonist and neuro-protective in neonatal rats with HIE. It has been tried as an adjuvant therapy to HT in HIE infants. In a CDSR review with 1 RCT including 92 neonates were treated with 30% Xenon as an adjuvant therapy to HT. The study did not show beneficial effects in HIE and hence, not recommended for routine use in HIE infants. Xenon is a costly drug [20].
Outcome predictors after HIE
Predictors help in recognising the high-risk neonates for poor outcomes. Poor outcomes after HIE are defined as death, developmental quotient- DQ < 70 and severe cerebral palsy (CP).
- Mnemonic: A: Apgar scores at 10 minutes, B: Biochemistry, C: Convulsions D: Doppler findings of major cerebral arteries, E: Examination (neurological), F: Functional Monitoring of cerebrum (CFM - cerebral functional monitoring), G: grading of HIE, H: pH of cord blood, I: Imaging (MRI, MR spectroscopy and cUSS).
- Apgar scores: Less than < 4 at 10 minutes is associated with poor outcome in hypothermic babies [21]. In a study, zero percent disability free survived infants were found with zero apgar scores at 10 minutes [22].
- Biochemical tests: Blood Lactate is a poor predictor of outcome as a single biomarker but its predictivity increases (> 4.4 mmol/L) in combination with creatinine kinase CK, lactate dehydrogenase LDH and uric acid [23,24]. Cord pH < 7 and BE > -12 mmol/L are early signs of perinatal asphyxia and carry abnormal outcome. The PPV is increased if serum lactate (> 4.4mmol/L) has been added. The BE > -6.2 in < 4hr after birth carry bad outcome in normothermic babies [14]. Base deficit of more than 22 during first day of life predicts death [22]. Cardiac Troponin I level < 0.15ng/ml at 24 hours in cooled term infants carry good prognosis and increased levels indicate cardiac myocytes injury [25]. LDH - increased levels indicate multi organ injury. LDH levels > 1050 IU/L in less than 12 hours predicts NE in term infants. Its levels < 2085 IU/L predicts good outcome and if more, predicts 55% poor outcome. Levels > 5090 IU/L and > 3555 IU/L were associated with death and disability in cooled babies respectively [24].
- Convulsions/seizures: Infants with multifocal seizures, status epilepticus and seizures requiring multiple anti-epileptic drugs were associated with more severe changes on MRI brain scan and its associated bad outcomes [26].
- Doppler findings - Cranial ultrasound scan (cUSS): Early deep gray matter injury carries poor outcome and death. Doppler resistance index (RI) of < 0.55 in major cerebral arteries within 24-62 hours in normothermic infants carries bad outcome with PPV 75% and NPV 100% [27]. Recovering RI values of > 0.55 in hypothermic babies after rewarming carries good outcome [28].
- Examination findings (Neurological): Neurological assessment: Inability to suck and swallow at discharge carries poor outcome at 18 months of age [29].
- Functional monitoring of cerebrum (CFM): EEG/aEEG: Early abnormal EEG in < 6 hours is the best predictor of future outcome in normothermic HIE babies [30]. Restoration of normal aEEG background activity by 48 hours predicts good outcome in hypothermic babies [31]. Infants who don’t regain normal aEEG at any time carry 70% mortality/bad outcome. Seizures in < 4 hours carry bad prognosis. Restoration of sleep wake cycle < 36hr in normothermia babies carry good outcome.
- Grading of HIE: Sarnat and Sarnat HIE stage 2 and 3 carry poor outcomes in both cooled and non-cooled infants. Thompson score of > 16 in first 6hrs carries bad outcome. A score less than 10 at admission and reaching 0 by one week carries good prognosis [8]. A score of more than 10 on day 3 and > 7 on day 10 carry bad outcome with PPV 73%, NPV 94% and PPV 63%, NPV 100% respectively in non-cooled babies. Scores on day 7, if found < 5 or > 7 carry good or bad outcome respectively [32]. H. Blood pH: Already mentioned above.
Imaging: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI):
MRI gives timing, pattern and extent of brain injury with prognostic value in both hypothermic and normothermic HIE infants. Deep gray matter injury seen in profound HIE cases with associated bad outcome - death or disability (spastic quadriplegia/dyskinetic CP) and cognitive impairment -MDI < 70 [33]. PLIC (Posterior limb of internal capsule) sign is absence of its normal appearance in MRI imaging in term infants and carries poor outcome [34]. MR Spectroscopy (MRS) - An increase of lactate/NAA (N-acetyl aspartate) ratio highly predicts bad outcome in early infancy [35].
Cerebral near infrared spectroscopy
This advanced facility is not available in many LMIC countries. Volume weighted haemoglobin - oxygen saturation (StO2) is significantly higher in HIE infants (without therapeutic hypothermia) with poor outcomes [36].
Predictors of good prognosis
Normal EEG pattern at 3hours of life, aEEG showing sleep-wake pattern, background normalization of aEEG, increased RI values > 0.55 of major cerebral arteries on rewarming in HT babies, Thompson’s score of < 5 on day7 and < 10 at admission and reaching 0 by day7 on non-HT babies carry good prognosis.
Futility prediction in HIE infants
Consider taking multiple factors for futility prediction.
The dying HIE infants may have the following commons:
- Lower Apgar scores < 3 at 10 minutes, cord pH < 6.8 and adrenaline usage.
- More oxygen requirement on day 1.
- Higher lactate levels in early hours (< 7hr).
- Evidence of multiorgan dysfunction in < 24hr.
- Abnormal aEEG and MRI patterns at 24 hours.
- No spontaneous activity.
- Fourfold increase in mortality or severe disability is associated with every 1° C rise in body temperature from 36.5°C.
Counselling - discussion with parents regarding hie and outcome prediction
Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy is a devastating condition in newborn, hence discussion with parents should be carried in a soft and sympathetic way for the existing situation in counselling room. Explain the parents and family members with pictorial play charts regarding HIE and its causation, predictive biomarkers and outcome data. Reveal to parents the clinical diagnosis, HIE, its cause, evidence in support, present clinical status, early stabilisation measures, specific therapy - HT with its benefits and side effects, daily update, predictors of long term (poor) neuro-developmental outcomes. Discuss about length of hospital stay, financial issues, insurance, need for long term follow up and multidisciplinary rehabilitation services.
Take into account the emotional landscapes of parents [37], need for continuous support from doctors and nurses and to prepare the parents for reconciling the uncertain outcomes (Thyagarajan B 2018., et al.) [38].
Follow up screening for neurodevelopmental outcome
All HIE neonates should be followed up for screening - eye vision and hearing who were treated with or without HT especially when on aminoglycosides with Bayley’s 3 or 4 developmental screen. A score of MDI OR PDI > 70 is considered normal. A score of 50 - < 70 is considered moderate delay and < 50 is considered as severe developmental delay.
Long-term health problems
Approximately 50 million under-five children are experiencing developmental disabilities in LMIC countries and majority of whom (80%) were contributed by perinatal cause. Children with severe neuro-developmental disability after HIE are at increased tendency to die and develop cerebral palsy, suffer from pain, memory impairment, loss of abstract thinking, earning potential, recreation and pleasures in life [39].
- Nutritional and Gastro-intestinal problems: Are common and include feeding difficulties, growth impairment, micro and macro nutritional deficiencies and aspiration pneumonias.
- Musculoskeletal problems: Generalised osteoporosis, kypho-scoliosis, hip dislocation, contractures, spasticity, rigidity, hypotonia, callosities at pressure sites.
- Cognitive Impairment: These children experience learning difficulties, low IQs, visual impairment, hearing impairment - sensory neural deafness and need special educational support.
- Behavioural Problems: Include attention deficit, explosiveness and hyperirritability.
Conclusion
HIE infants are great burden to health care sector in LMIC countries. Therapies that are in use in NICUs of advanced countries are not practical in LMIC countries. Treating these babies is still a challenging task in LMIC countries. Cost effective strategies can be applied to treat these babies at low resource setting like optimum neonatal resuscitation in experienced hands, prevention of hyperthermia, controlled passive cooling, maintaining euglycemic state by prompt recognition and management of hypo - hyper glycaemia, avoiding hyperoxia and hypocarbia, early erythropoietin therapy, early prophylactic theophylline therapy, avoiding fluid restriction, early phenobarbitone for prevention of seizures, cardiopulmonary stabilization and early therapeutic hypothermia preferably within 3hours with phase changing material.
Conflict of Interest
There are no conflicts of interest for this study.
There are no sponsors for this study.
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