Neurobehavioral Performance of Infants with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)

Primary Investigators: Robin Miller PhD, Elisabeth McGowan MD

The purpose of this research study is to better understand the neurobehavioral development of infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) as compared to their healthy, full-term peers. HIE is one of the causes of neonatal encephalopathy, which is a term used to describe any type of brain injury or insult that results in central nervous system dysfunction in the neonatal period.  Specifically, HIE is a brain injury that happens before, during, or shortly after birth when oxygen or blood flow is decreased or stopped. The majority of studies examining babies with HIE do not have a group of full-term infants to compare outcomes.  If we can better understand how full-term peers present, we can offer more clinical guidance for those needing specialized care. Infants in this study will receive a neurobehavioral exam called the NeoNatal Neurobehavioral Scale – II (NNNS-II). The NNNS-II assesses infants’ neurobehavioral organization, neurological reflexes, motor development, tone and posture, arousal and reactivity, attention/social interaction, self-regulation, and signs of coping/stress. The exam takes about 15 minutes to complete