Question
My son was born three days ago via cesarean section, weighing 7.5 pounds, and his body indicators are normal. In the afternoon of the day he was born, a small hematoma was found on the right side of his skull. The doctor said to observe for two days and it did not grow larger. The CT scan showed mild hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Do I need to treat it?
Answer
Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) cannot be diagnosed solely based on a single CT scan. Doctors should combine clinical symptoms, such as excitement or seizures, to make a diagnosis. It is recommended to consult with the attending physician to understand if the child has other clinical symptoms. The baby was born at full term and in good condition, so the risk factors for HIE are not high. Therefore, there may be some doubt in the diagnosis. For the low-density areas shown on the CT scan, MRI can provide a clearer observation and should be part of the follow-up program. Additionally, attention should be paid to whether there is any enlargement of the ventricles or white matter softening.