Question
The baby’s skin has darkened, breathing is somewhat rapid, and they haven’t eaten for two days. The situation has improved slightly now, with normal skin color and a little bit of milk intake. What is the likelihood of long-term complications in the future?
Answer
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) in newborns is a brain injury caused by hypoxia and reduced or stopped blood flow to the fetal and neonatal brain due to perinatal factors. It is common in full-term infants and is one of the leading causes of childhood neurological disabilities. Depending on the location of the lesion, different symptoms and signs may appear. For bilateral hemispheric lesions, seizures within the first 24 hours after birth are often characteristic, and they are not sensitive to anticonvulsant drugs. Symptoms and signs of brain edema may also occur, such as anterior urethral bulging and cranial suture separation. Lesions in the thalamus and brainstem nuclei often manifest as persistent seizures and brainstem dysfunction, such as fixed pupils, lack of suckling and swallowing reflexes. However, there are usually no symptoms or signs of brain edema or intracranial hypertension in this situation. For specific cases, further understanding of detailed circumstances is needed to provide an accurate prognosis. It is recommended to communicate with a doctor promptly and follow the treatment and recovery advice given by the doctor. Please note that the above answer is for reference only, and specific diagnoses and treatment plans should be determined by professional doctors based on actual conditions.