Early prediction of hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy in newborn infants in a resource-limited setting

Hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) after birth is an important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, particularly in resource-limited regions. Therapeutic hypothermia initiated within the first 6 hours of life, in settings that can offer neonatal intensive care, is a therapy that can reduce death or severe disability in newborn infants with moderate or severe HIE. Therapeutic hypothermia has not been shown to be safe or effective in low-resource settings where neonatal intensive care is not available; however, there are situations such as in some centres in South Africa, where limited neonatal intensive care (NICU) is available against a background of moderate neonatal mortality rates, relatively low socio-economic conditions and limited capacity for long-term follow-up. In such settings, accurate case definition and early prediction of HIE and outcome may assist with the appropriate allocation of resources. The amplitude-integrated electro-encephalogram (aEEG) is an ideal tool to use for prediction of outcome and the need for cooling, but it’s availability is limited, particularly at primary and secondary hospitals.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Horn, Alan Richard

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Swingler, George H
• Myer, Landon
• Robertson, Nicola

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11188

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/11188