Objective This study aimed to determine the clinical characteristics and factors associated with neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) and its neurodevelopmental outcomes. Methods We conducted retrospective case-control research to investigate the clinical and labour-related risk factors for HIE. In addition, a single-centre cohort study was conducted on infants with HIE to describe their neurodevelopment from birth to 24 months. For this investigation, cases with a diagnosis of HIE who were born at King Abdullah Children’s Specialist Hospital (KASCH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between 2015 and 2019 were identified and matched with controls from the same facility (1:4). Each case’s clinical information was extracted using electronic medical records. In addition, 24-month follow-up HIE cases were included in a cohort study to describe their neurodevelopmental outcomes. Results The sample includes 60 infants diagnosed with HIE and 234 infants serving as controls, with a mean gestational age of 38.8 weeks (SD 1.6) and a predominance of males (56.4%). Around one-third of the HIE cases (36.6%) had moderate HIE (stage 2), whereas 35.1% of infants had severe HIE (stage 3), according to Sarnat staging. Compared to the control group, children with HIE were twice as likely to be born to mothers with maternal comorbidities and more likely to have prepartum and intrapartum complications. A 24-month follow-up of neurodevelopmental outcomes for HIE babies revealed that approximately 24% exhibited delays in gross motor skill development, 22% in fine motor skill development, 33% in language skill development, and 22% in social skill development. Conclusion In the HIE group, maternal comorbidities and prepartum or intrapartum complications were more common. The severity grade of HIE can be used to predict neurodevelopmental consequences. Enhancing patient care and rehabilitation requires a minimum of 24 months of neurodevelopmental follow-up.

Purpose This study aimed to determine the factors associated with Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and its neurodevelopmental outcomes. Methods A case-control study of infants delivered at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was carried out from 2015 to 2019. Newborns with an admission diagnosis of HIE were identified, and controls were matched for the case. The electronic medical records were used to extract the clinical data for each case. The HIE cases were followed for 24 months to determine their neurodevelopmental outcomes. Results The sample included 60 infants diagnosed with HIE and 234 infants as controls, primarily males (56%) with mean gestational age of 38 weeks (SD 1.6). According to Sarnat staging, 36% of the HIE cases (22 patients) had stage 2 encephalopathy, while 35% of infants were at stage 3. Children with HIE were twice as likely to be born to mothers with maternal comorbidities, and more likely to have prepartum and intrapartum complications than the control group. The follow-up of neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months for the HIE infants indicated no delays in development of gross motor skills (76%), fine motor skills (78%), language skills (67%), and social skills (78%). Conclusion Maternal comorbidities and prepartum or intrapartum complications were more prevalent in the HIE group. HIE severity grade can be used as a prognostic, predictive tool for neurodevelopmental outcomes. Neurodevelopment follow up for at least 24 months is necessary to enhance care and rehabilitation of the patients.

Purpose This study aimed to determine the factors associated with Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and its neurodevelopmental outcomes. Methods A case-control study of infants delivered at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was carried out from 2015 to 2019. Newborns with an admission diagnosis of HIE were identified, and controls were matched for the case. The electronic medical records were used to extract the clinical data for each case. The HIE cases were followed for 24 months to determine their neurodevelopmental outcomes. Results The sample included 60 infants diagnosed with HIE and 234 infants as controls, primarily males (56%) with mean gestational age of 38 weeks (SD 1.6). According to Sarnat staging, 36% of the HIE cases (22 patients) had stage 2 encephalopathy, while 35% of infants were at stage 3. Children with HIE were twice as likely to be born to mothers with maternal comorbidities, and more likely to have prepartum and intrapartum complications than the control group. The follow-up of neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months for the HIE infants indicated no delays in development of gross motor skills (76%), fine motor skills (78%), language skills (67%), and social skills (78%). Conclusion Maternal comorbidities and prepartum or intrapartum complications were more prevalent in the HIE group. HIE severity grade can be used as a prognostic, predictive tool for neurodevelopmental outcomes. Neurodevelopment follow up for at least 24 months is necessary to enhance care and rehabilitation of the patients.