Neonatal encephalopathy: Focus on epidemiology and underexplored aspects of etiology

Neonatal Encephalopathy (NE) is a neurologic syndrome in term and near-term infants who have depressed consciousness, difficulty initiating and maintaining respiration, and often abnormal tone, reflexes and neonatal seizures in varying combinations. Moderate/severe NE affects 0.5-3/1000 live births in high-income countries, more in low- and middle-income countries, and carries high risk of mortality or disability, including cerebral palsy. Reduced blood flow and/or oxygenation around the time of birth, as with ruptured uterus, placental abruption or umbilical cord prolapse can cause NE.

Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine - July 14, 2021 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: McIntyre S, Nelson KB, Mulkey SB, Lechpammer M, Molloy E, Badawi N, Newborn Brain Society Guidelines and Publications Committee* Source Type: research