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HIE lack of oxygen to the baby at birth. Brain Injury
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Symptoms and Causes
Overview
What is hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)?
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a brain injury that occurs when your brain doesn’t get enough blood and oxygen. This can permanently change how your brain functions. HIE usually affects newborns who had a difficult birth, but it can also affect older children and adults who experience severe respiratory distress like drowning.
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HIE is a life-threatening condition. Call 911 or seek medical attention right away if you or your child have symptoms of HIE.
You may hear your newborn’s healthcare provider refer to HIE as:
- Birth asphyxia.
- Neonatal encephalopathy.
- Perinatal hypoxia.
What are the types of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy?
A healthcare provider will grade HIE based on your child’s prognosis. These include mild, moderate or severe. These grades can affect neurological outcomes. All grades of HIE require emergency medical attention to prevent life-threatening complications. Your healthcare provider can best explain your child’s outlook so you know what to expect.
How common is hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy?
HIE affects an estimated 1 to 6 infants out of every 1,000 births. In the United States, this equals about 9,000 to 12,000 newborns each year.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the signs and symptoms of HIE?
Mild and moderate signs and symptoms of HIE in newborns include:
- A floppy, weak muscle tone (hypotonia) or tense muscles (hypertonia).
- Difficulty feeding.
- Fatigue.
- Irritability.
- A weak cry.
- A pale, blue or gray tone to their skin, fingers and lips (cyanosis).
Severe symptoms of HIE in newborns include:
- Little to no response to touch or sound.
- Poor reflexes.
- Abnormal breathing patterns.
- An irregular or slow heartbeat.
- Seizures.
- Loss of consciousness.
- If you think your child has HIE call us immediately for a free consult. 305.525.8957
HIE Birth Injury Lawyer
HIE Birth Injury Attorney
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