OUTCOME OF TERM NEWBORNS WITH HYPOXIC ISCHEMIC ENCEPHALOPATHY.

Background: Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is main complication of the birth asphyxia. The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of outcome of term newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy(HIE). Material & Methods: This cross sectional study was done at Neonatology Unit of National Institute of Child Health, Karachi, from July, 2014 to January, 2015. Sample size was 162 cases selected through consecutive sampling technique. Mean age was 7.74 ±3.87 days. Males were 100 (61.7%) and females were 62 (38.3%). All neonates of either gender from birth to 14 days of life presented with gestational age >37 weeks &<42weeks and having history of initiate and sustain failure of breathing for ≥one minute after birth were enrolled. Patient was followed up till 14 days and final outcome was assessed in terms of mortality and improvement. The stages of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy were assessed on the basis of Sarnat staging. Final outcome (improved / mortality) was assessed on 14thday of admission. All the data i.e. age of neonate in days, age groups, gestational age in weeks, gender, outcome (improved and mortality) HIE stages were entered in the pre designed proforma. Results: There were 64 (39.50%) patients with HIE stage I, 62 (38.30%) with HIE stage II and 36 (22.2%) patients with HIE stage III. Improved outcome was observed in 137 (84.6%) while death was observed in 25 (15.40%) patients. Conclusion: Severity of HIE (stage III) was found significantly associated with mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]