EVALUATION OF NEONATAL HYPOXIC ISCHEMIC ENCEPHALOPATHY BY MRI AND ULTRASONOGRAPHY

Abstract

Neonatal HIE is one of the most devastating complications. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in newborns. It occurs in 6 per 1000 live term births. It is lack of oxygen in the brain. There is several causes some related to mother like diabetic, hypertension, alcohol abuse, infection or using any medication during pregnancy. And some neonatal causes such as malformation of lung, bradycardia, tachycardia, airway obstruction due to me conium or fluid, or umbilical cord around neck. HIE leads to cerebral palsy, mental retardation, deafness and die in severe cases. This study was applied on 150 babies with suspected of HIE. in Radiology and NICU Department, King Abdul-Aziz Specialist Hospital over a period from Feb 2010 to Feb 2012 to evaluate the role of cranial MRI and US in diagnosis of HIE. US is noninvasive technique, safe and not cost but some time it cannot demonstrates the site of hemorrhage. MRI has high sensitivity in detect the site of hemorrhage but some time there is difficulty to transfer the neonate to MRI unit and give sedation.