Evaluation of Psychomotor, Behavioral and Sensory Development in Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Patients

Objectives: Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) can cause neonatal deaths and multiorgan failure in short term, as well as neurodevelopmental disorders, behavioural and sensory disorders in long term. We aimed to, examine the patients’ neurodevelopmental status and analyze their behavioral patterns and sensory profiles in this study.

Material and Methods: 49 HIE patients were enrolled in this study. General Movements (GM’s), Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE), Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) were used for neurodevelopmental evaluation and results of the tests were obtained retrospectively. Abberant Behaviour Checklist (ABC) was used for behavioral profile and Biel and Peske’s Sensory Checklist (BPSC) was used for sensory profile.

Results: No relationship was found between neurodevelopmental status and HIE stage and hypothermia method. Altough most of the subjects did not show behavioral difficulties, five patients’ results were suggestive for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder whose at least one of the neurodevelopmental test score was below cut-off. In patients whose behavioral patterns were attention deficit hyperactivity disorder alike, the sensory profiles were tend to be avoider and seeker; whereas the patients who have neurodevelopmental disorders, the sensory profiles were tend to be hyporeactive for sensory stimulations.

Conclusion: This study suggests that regular screenings for neurodevelopmental disorders and taking measures as early as possible is crucial for these patients. Additionally, being sensitive for those patients’ behavioral patterns and sensory profiles while their visits would enhance their quality of lives.
Keywords: Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Behavioral Disorders, Sensory Processing Disorders