Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a complicated diagnosis with a wide range of outcomes that can require differing levels of care, therapy, and support. Here, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide of medical information that may be useful to parents and caretakers of children with HIE.
HIE: Basic Information
These pages can help you learn more about what causes HIE, how doctors know that a baby has HIE, and what an HIE diagnosis means.
Conditions Associated With HIE
If a baby has HIE, that essentially means that their brain has been damaged as the result of oxygen deprivation around the time of birth. HIE may manifest in a variety of different symptoms, depending on the severity, extent, and location of the brain damage. The following are some conditions commonly associated with HIE:
Preventing HIE
Because HIE can have serious, lasting consequences on a baby’s health, it is important that medical professionals use their expertise to prevent HIE. The following are just a few important considerations when it comes to preventing HIE.
Treating/Managing HIE
Treatments for HIE fall into two major categories: reducing the spread of brain damage immediately after birth (with hypothermia therapy) and managing the symptoms once damage has already set in.
Reducing Injury Severity (Preventing Further Injury)
- Hypothermia Therapy (Brain Cooling)
Managing HIE Symptoms
- Stem Cell Therapy
- Treating Cerebral Palsy Stemming from HIE
- Surgical Options (SDR, Gastroenterologic Surgery, Hearing and Vision Correction, Orthopedic Surgery, and Neurosurgery)
- Medications for Spasticity
- Physical Therapy
- Behavioral Therapy
- Sensory Integration Therapy
- Speech-Language Pathology (AACs)
- Occupational Therapy
- Massage Therapy
- Recreational therapy (Camps, Hippotherapy, Adaptive Recreation, Inclusive Playgrounds and Music Therapy)
- Assistive and Adaptive Technologies
- Service Animals