In the previous section, we talked about the Diagnosing Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy, or HIE. In this section, we will continue with covering prognosis and life expectancy for people who are affected by HIE and related conditions like Cerebral Palsy.
This information has been compiled from government sources, medical sources, and from consulting with experts on HIE.
Keep reading to learn more about prognosis and life expectancy for HIE.
What is the prognosis for HIE?
The prognosis for HIE varies based on its severity. According to the Cleveland Clinic, HIE is fatal for somewhere between 20% and 50% of infants. It also estimates that around 25% to 60% of infants who survive experience long-term neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or cognitive disabilities.
One recent study of more than 32 million infants in the U.S. between 2010 and 2018 found that the mortality rate for infants with HIE has decreased over time, with rates dropping from around 11.5% to 12.3% from 2010 to 2012 to around 8.3% to 10.6% from 2016 to 2018.
While the prevalence of HIE remains relatively steady at approximately 1 in 1000 live births in developed countries, the incidence is around 10 times higher in resource-limited areas.
Increased use of therapeutic hypothermia (or brain cooling treatment) in recent years has contributed to lower infant mortality rates, underscoring the importance of early intervention.
In some cases, the prognosis for HIE can start to take shape during the pregnancy itself. Doctors can pick up fetal distress signals and get an idea of the extent and cause of brain damage. However, some cases of HIE are not diagnosed until immediately after the child is born.
There are two main ways to decide the prognosis of a child with HIE after they have been born. These include Sarnat Staging and the APGAR Score.
Getting help for a child with HIE or Cerebral Palsy
can make a big difference
Because early intervention is often key to helping improve a child’s wellbeing, it’s important to act swiftly. At the Brown Trial Firm, our Houston birth injury attorneys can help you investigate your case, find answers to your questions, and determine whether you are entitled to compensation. We offer case reviews at no cost or obligation. Many birth injuries that cause cerebral palsy could have been prevented.
Sarnat Staging
As we covered in our section on Diagnosing HIE, Sarnat Staging is a method of classification used specifically to diagnose HIE. There are three levels to this staging process— Grade I Mild, Grade II Moderate, and Grade III Severe. The components assessed with this tool include alertness, condition of muscles, presence of seizures, vision response, breathing ability, and the overall duration of symptoms.
In terms of prognosis, some children that classify as Grade I Mild sometimes deal with very mild symptoms that do not affect their life. Children with Grade III Severe symptoms may have to deal with lifelong disabilities.
The APGAR Score
The APGAR Score is similar to Sarnat Scale with some key differences. The APGAR process is usually administered in normal and healthy births in addition to complicated births. This is done to evaluate the condition of the child and to assess any cause for treatment.
APGAR is an acronym that stands for Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration. The skin condition of the child is assessed along with heart rate, reflexes, tone of the muscles, and respiratory ability. In general, a low score coupled with more than five minutes without symptom resolution can help lead to an HIE diagnosis. It is worth noting that an APGAR score on its own cannot properly determine HIE.
