Use of EEG in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: A French survey of current practice and perspective for improving health care

OBJECTIVES

Controlled therapeutic hypothermia (CTH) is a standard of care in the management of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy HIE in newborns after 36 weeks of gestational age (WGA) in France. The electroencephalogram (EEG) plays a major role in HIE diagnosis and follow-up. We conducted a French national survey on the current use of EEG in newborn undergoing CTH.

METHODS

Between July and October 2021, an email survey was sent to the heads of the Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in metropolitan and overseas French departments and territories.

RESULTS

Out of 67, 56 (83%) of NICUs responded. All of them performed CTH in children born after 36 WGA with clinical and biological criteria of moderate to severe HIE. 82% of the NICUs used conventional EEG (cEEG) before 6 h of life (H6), prior to CTH being performed, to inform decisions about its use. However, half of the 56 NICUs had limited access after regular working hours. 51 of the 56 centers (91%) used cEEG, either short-lasting or continuous monitoring during cooling, while 5 centers conducted only amplitude EEG (aEEG). Only 4 of 56 centers (7%) used cEEG systematically both prior to CTH and for continuous monitoring under CTH.

DISCUSSION

The use of cEEG in the management of neonatal HIE was widespread in NICUs, but with significant disparities when considering 24-hour access. The introduction of a centralized neurophysiological on-call system grouping several NICUs would be of major interest for most centers which do not have the facility of EEG outside working hours.

Quantification of Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Prognostic Prediction of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is the leading cause of acquired neonatal brain injury with the risk of developing serious neurological sequelae and death. An accurate and robust prediction of short- and long-term outcomes may provide clinicians and families with fundamental evidence for their decision-making, the design of treatment strategies, and the discussion of developmental intervention plans after discharge. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is one of the most powerful neuroimaging tools with which to predict the prognosis of neonatal HIE by providing microscopic features that cannot be assessed by conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). DTI provides various scalar measures that represent the properties of the tissue, such as fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD). Since the characteristics of the diffusion of water molecules represented by these measures are affected by the microscopic cellular and extracellular environment, such as the orientation of structural components and cell density, they are often used to study the normal developmental trajectory of the brain and as indicators of various tissue damage, including HIE-related pathologies, such as cytotoxic edema, vascular edema, inflammation, cell death, and Wallerian degeneration. Previous studies have demonstrated widespread alteration in DTI measurements in severe cases of HIE and more localized changes in neonates with mild-to-moderate HIE. In an attempt to establish cutoff values to predict the occurrence of neurological sequelae, MD and FA measurements in the corpus callosum, thalamus, basal ganglia, corticospinal tract, and frontal white matter have proven to have an excellent ability to predict severe neurological outcomes. In addition, a recent study has suggested that a data-driven, unbiased approach using machine learning techniques on features obtained from whole-brain image quantification may accurately predict the prognosis of HIE, including for mild-to-moderate cases. Further efforts are needed to overcome current challenges, such as MRI infrastructure, diffusion modeling methods, and data harmonization for clinical application. In addition, external validation of predictive models is essential for clinical application of DTI to prognostication.

Magnetic resonance imaging brain yield in developmental delay: A developing country perspective

BACKGROUND

Developmental delay (DD) is an important neuro-morbidity in children affecting the quality of life. MRI plays a crucial role by delineating the underlying structural, metabolic, and genetic abnormalities.

AIM

To determine the yield of MRI brain in delineating the various underlying abnormalities and etiological factors in children with DD and to correlate these findings with the clinical presentation.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study enrolled 50 children with the developmental delay between 6 months to 6 years of age.

OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

The mean age was 31.32 ± 20.56 months. The sensitivity of MRI was 72%. 81.3% of the children with microcephaly had abnormal MRI. The most common underlying etiology was hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (42%), followed by congenital/developmental defects and metabolic diseases (10% each). The most commonly involved region of the cerebral cortex was the occipital lobe (44%) because of the high occurrence of coexisting hypoglycemic brain injury, which is extremely common in developing countries and rare in developed countries, with 80% of them having visual abnormalities. Frontal lobe involvement was significantly more in children with abnormal motor findings and behavioral changes. Cortical grey matter abnormalities were significantly more in children with seizures.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

It is to be emphasized that children with developmental delays should be evaluated with MRI whenever possible. Apart from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, other etiologies should also be looked for.

Yap1-Usp14 Axis Inhibits Neuronal Mitophagy During Neonatal Hypoxia-Ischemia Encephalopathy by Regulation of Beclin-1 Ubiquitination in Mouse

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) that results from perinatal cerebral hypoxia-ischemia has become one of the leading causes of acute mortality and chronic disability in infants and children. Despite that neuronal mitophagy and subsequent clearance of damaged neurons exert protective effect, the pathogenesis of HIE and effective treatment strategies for intervention of HIE remain poorly understood. Here, we report that ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (Usp14, a deubiquitinating enzyme) is closely associated with HIE progression by its negative regulation in neuronal mitophagy in mouse. The expression of Usp14 is elevated in both an oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) mouse neuronal cell line culture model in vitro and a HIE mouse model in vivo. Mechanistically, OGD treatment activates Hippo signaling that enhances Yap1 phosphorylation levels at Ser-127 but inhibits Yap1 protein level, which potentiates Usp14 transcription and leads to the downregulated ubiquitination at Lys-63 of Beclin-1, a key molecule in autophagy, resulting in the suppressed neuronal mitophagy, subsequent failure in the clearance of damaged neurons, and finally possible dysregulation in brain functions. Thus, our results provide with Usp14 as a novel target and treatment strategy for intervention of HIE, which may help diagnose and treat HIE in clinic.

[Clinical efficacy of mild therapeutic hypothermia with different rewarming time on neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: a prospective randomized controlled study]

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the clinical efficacy of mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) with different rewarming time on neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

METHODS

A prospective study was performed on 101 neonates with HIE who were born and received MTH in Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, from January 2018 to January 2022. These neonates were randomly divided into two groups: MTH1 group (n=50; rewarming for 10 hours at a rate of 0.25°C/h) and MTH2 group (n=51; rewarming for 25 hours at a rate of 0.10°C/h). The clinical features and the clinical efficacy were compared between the two groups. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors influencing the occurrence of normal sleep-wake cycle (SWC) on amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) at 25 hours of rewarming.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the MTH1 and MTH2 groups in gestational age, 5-minute Apgar score, and proportion of neonates with moderate/severe HIE (P>0.05). Compared with the MTH2 group, the MTH1 group tended to have a normal arterial blood pH value at the end of rewarming, a significantly shorter duration of oxygen dependence, a significantly higher proportion of neonates with normal SWC on aEEG at 10 and 25 hours of rewarming, and a significantly higher Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment score on days 5, 12, and 28 after birth (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the incidence rate of rewarming-related seizures between the two groups (P>0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence rate of neurological disability at 6 months of age and the score of Bayley Scale of Infant Development at 3 and 6 months of age (P>0.05). The binary logistic regression analysis showed that prolonged rewarming time (25 hours) was not conducive to the occurrence of normal SWC (OR=3.423, 95%CI: 1.237-9.469, P=0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

Rewarming for 10 hours has a better short-term clinical efficacy than rewarming for 25 hours. Prolonging rewarming time has limited clinical benefits on neonates with moderate/severe HIE and is not conducive to the occurrence of normal SWC, and therefore, it is not recommended as a routine treatment method.

Adrenal congestion in perinatal hypoxia: Sonographic assessment and relationship with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

BACKGROUND

During hypoxia, blood flow to the brain, myocardium, and adrenal glands is preserved or even increased to maintain homeostasis. Adrenal congestion occurs when venous return remains insufficient. Several different ultrasound measurements of adrenal glands in neonates have been reported in the literature. However, there is no data related on adrenal gland size in neonates with perinatal hypoxia.

AIMS

To evaluate the adrenal congestion using by ultrasound (US) measurements in perinatal hypoxia, and to reveal the relationship of adrenal congestion with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) grades and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SUBJECTS

Infants with perinatal hypoxia who met therapeutic hypothermia criteria and were being cooled were included in the present study. The control group was established from healthy neonates admitted to our center during the recruitment.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The gland area was measured by tracing, and both the corpus and crura widths were measured.

RESULTS

We reported adrenal gland area data of 110 newborns with HIE and compared them with 56 normal neonates. The adrenal size was significantly higher in the HIE group than in the control group (p<0,01). The frequency of adrenal congestion was 72.7% based on the selected cut-off values. The adrenal gland measurements were increased in the patients with perinatal hypoxia than those of the controls.

CONCLUSIONS

In the systemic evaluation of newborns with perinatal hypoxia, additional care should be taken regarding adrenal congestion. The measurement of adrenal size with 2D US will help us to diagnose or confirm adrenal congestion and possible hemorrhagic changes. The morphological data and cut-off values given in our study will be useful for neonatologists and pediatric radiologists to evaluate the patient while managing perinatal hypoxia.

Interleukin-33 and Soluble ST2 Levels in Infants with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

INTRODUCTION

Interleukin (IL)-33 and its receptor ST2L play key roles in the IL-33/ST2 signaling pathway. Soluble ST2 (sST2) inhibits the proper function of IL-33. sST2 levels are increased in patients with several neurological diseases, but in infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), IL-33 and sST2 levels have not been studied. This study aimed to investigate whether serum levels of IL-33 and sST2 are useful as biomarkers of HIE severity and prognostic factors for infants with HIE.

METHODS

Twenty-three infants with HIE and 16 controls (gestational age ≥36 weeks and ≥1,800 g birth weight) were enrolled in this study. Serum levels of IL-33 and sST2 were measured at <6 h, 1-2, 3, and 7 days of age. Hydrogen-1 magnetic resonance spectroscopy was performed, and ratios of peak integrals of lactate/N-acetylaspartate (Lac/NAA) were calculated as objective indicators of brain damage.

RESULTS

In the moderate and severe HIE, serum sST2 concentrations were increased and there was a good correlation between serum sST2 and HIE severity on days 1-2, whereas no variation was observed in serum IL-33. Serum sST2 levels were positively correlated with Lac/NAA ratios (Kendall's rank correlation coefficient = 0.527, p = 0.024), and both sST2 and Lac/NAA ratios were significantly higher in HIE infants with neurological impairment (p = 0.020 and <0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

sST2 may be a useful predictor of severity and later neurological outcomes in infants with HIE. Further investigation is required to elucidate the relationship between the IL-33/ST2 axis and HIE.

Using Neonatal Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Predict Gross Motor Disability at Four Years in Term-Born Children With Neonatal Encephalopathy

BACKGROUND

Children with neonatal encephalopathy (NE) are at risk for basal ganglia/thalamus (BG/T) and watershed patterns of brain injury. Children with BG/T injury are at high risk for motor impairment in infancy, but the predictive validity of a published rating scale for outcome at age four years is not known. We examined a cohort of children with NE and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine the relationship between BG/T injury and severity of cerebral palsy (CP) in childhood.

METHODS

Term-born neonates at risk for brain injury due to NE were enrolled from 1993 to 2014 and received MRI within two weeks of birth. Brain injury was scored by a pediatric neuroradiologist. The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level was determined at four years. The relationship between BG/T injury and dichotomized GMFCS (no CP or GMFCS I to II = none/mild versus III to V = moderate/severe CP) was evaluated with logistic regression, and predictive performance was assessed by cross-validated area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC).

RESULTS

Among 174 children, higher BG/T scores were associated with more severe GMFCS level. Clinical predictors had a low AUROC (0.599), compared with that of MRI (0.895). Risk of moderate to severe CP was low (<20%) in all patterns of brain injury except BG/T = 4, which carried a 67% probability (95% confidence interval 36% to 98%) of moderate to severe CP.

CONCLUSIONS

The BG/T injury score can be used to predict the risk and severity of CP at age four years and thereby inform early developmental interventions.

Brain-Oriented Strategies for Neuroprotection of Asphyxiated Newborns in the First Hours of Life

Perinatal asphyxia represents the first cause of severe neurological disabilities and the second cause of neonatal death in term-born babies. Currently, no treatment can prevent immediate cell death from necrosis, but some therapeutic interventions, such as therapeutic hypothermia (TH), can reduce delayed cell death from apoptosis. TH significantly improves the combined outcome of mortality or major neurodevelopmental disability, but the number of patients to be treated is 7 to get 1 child with no adverse neurological outcome. The aim of this educational review is to analyze the other care strategies to be implemented to improve the neurological outcome of children with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Hypocapnia, hypoglycemia, pain control, and functional brain monitoring are recognized as appropriate approaches to improve outcome in critically ill infants with HIE. Pharmacologic neuroprotective adjuncts are currently under investigation. New drugs such as allopurinol and melatonin seem to provide positive effects although more randomized controlled trials are required to establish the effective therapeutic scheme. In the meantime, sustaining the respiratory, metabolic, and cardiovascular system during TH can be a valuable aid in managing and treating the patient with HIE in an optimal way.

Irisin prevents hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in rats by inhibiting oxidative stress and protecting the blood-brain barrier

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is associated with excessive inflammation, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, and oxidative stress. Irisin can reduce inflammation and ameliorate oxidative stress; however, its effects on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in newborns are unknown. Newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to hypoxic-ischemic injury and irisin treatment. TUNEL staining assays, the albumin-Evans blue dye extravasation method, an antioxidants detection kit, quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy were used to investigate the possible mechanisms underlying the prevention of HIE by irisin. We discovered that rats affected by HIE and administered irisin had lower levels of IL-6 (but not TNF-α or IL-1β) less oxidative stress, and enhanced blood-brain barrier integrity. Irisin can effectively attenuate brain damage by reducing oxidative stress and protecting the blood-brain barrier.

MiR-19b-3p Inhibits Hypoxia-Ischemia Encephalopathy by Inhibiting SOX6 Expression via Activating Wnt/β-catenin Pathway

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a detrimental factor in infant death and chronic disease. The specific pathogenesis is not entirely clear. Therefore, exploring the pathogenesis of HIE is critical. The expression of miR-19b-3p and SOX6 in umbilical blood of HIE patients was detected by qRT-PCR assay. HT22 cells were triggered with oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) to construct the HIE cell model. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to estimate viability. SOD and MDA levels were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Flow cytometry was implemented to ascertain neurocyte apoptosis. Cellular β-catenin immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression and distribution of β-catenin protein. Wnt signaling pathway activation was detected by TOPFlash/FOPFlash luciferase reporter assay. The targeting correlation of SOX6 and miR-19b-3p was corroborated by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA pull-down assay. MiR-19b-3p expression was once down-regulated, whilst SOX6 expression was up-regulated in HIE patients. MiR-19b-3p overexpression promoted cell proliferation, repressed cell apoptosis, oxidative stress response, and Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation in OGD/R-triggered HT22 cells. MiR-19b-3p negatively regulated SOX6 expression. SOX6 knockdown improved OGD/R-triggered HT22 cells injury via Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation. MiR-19b-3p overexpression suppressed OGD/R-triggered HT22 cell injury via inhibiting SOX6 expression via activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Myoclonus in comatose patients with electrographic status epilepticus after cardiac arrest: Corresponding EEG patterns, effects of treatment and outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the significance of any form of myoclonus in comatose patients after cardiac arrest with rhythmic and periodic EEG patterns (RPPs) by analyzing associations between myoclonus and EEG pattern, response to anti-seizure medication and neurological outcome.

DESIGN

Post hoc analysis of the prospective randomized Treatment of ELectroencephalographic STatus Epilepticus After Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (TELSTAR) trial.

SETTING

Eleven ICUs in the Netherlands and Belgium.

PATIENTS

One hundred and fifty-seven adult comatose post-cardiac arrest patients with RPPs on continuous EEG monitoring.

INTERVENTIONS

Anti-seizure medication vs no anti-seizure medication in addition to standard care.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Of 157 patients, 98 (63%) had myoclonus at inclusion. Myoclonus was not associated with one specific RPP type. However, myoclonus was associated with a smaller probability of a continuous EEG background pattern (48% in patients with vs 75% without myoclonus, odds ratio (OR) 0.31; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16-0.64) and earlier onset of RPPs (24% vs 9% within 24 hours after cardiac arrest, OR 3.86;95% CI 1.64-9.11). Myoclonus was associated with poor outcome at three months, but not invariably so (poor neurological outcome in 96% vs 82%, p = 0.004). Anti-seizure medication did not improve outcome, regardless of myoclonus presence (6% good outcome in the intervention group vs 2% in the control group, OR 0.33; 95% CI 0.03-3.32).

CONCLUSIONS

Myoclonus in comatose patients after cardiac arrest with RPPs is associated with poor outcome and discontinuous or suppressed EEG. However, presence of myoclonus does not interact with the effects of anti-seizure medication and cannot predict a poor outcome without false positives.

Downregulation of TRIM27 alleviates hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy through inhibiting inflammation and microglia cell activation by regulating STAT3/HMGB1 axis

TRIM27 expression was increased in the Parkinson's disease (PD), and knockdown of TRIM27 in PC12 cells significantly inhibited cell apoptosis, indicating that downregulation of TRIM27 exerts a neuroprotective effect. Herein, we investigated TRIM27 role in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and the underlying mechanisms. HIE models were constructed in newborn rats using hypoxic ischemic (HI) treatment and PC-12/BV2 cells with oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD), respectively. The results demonstrated that TRIM27 expression was increased in the brain tissues of HIE rats and OGD-treated PC-12/BV2 cells. Downregulation of TRIM27 reduced the brain infarct volume, inflammatory factor levels and brain injury, as well as decreased the number of M1 subtype of microglia cells while increased the number of M2 microglia cells. Moreover, deletion of TRIM27 expression inhibited the expression of p-STAT3, p-NF-κB and HMGB1 in vivo and in vitro. In addition, overexpression of HMGB1 impaired the effects of TRIM27 downregulation on improving OGD-induced cell viability, inhibiting inflammatory reactions and microglia activation. Collectively, this study revealed that TRIM27 was overexpressed in HIE, and downregulation of TRIM27 could alleviate HI-induced brain injury through repressing inflammation and microglia cell activation via the STAT3/HMGB1 axis.

[A novel method for electroencephalography background analysis in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy]

OBJECTIVES

To explore a new method for electroencephalography (EEG) background analysis in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and its relationship with clinical grading and head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) grading.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed for the video electroencephalography (vEEG) and amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) monitoring data within 24 hours after birth of neonates diagnosed with HIE from January 2016 to August 2022. All items of EEG background analysis were enrolled into an assessment system and were scored according to severity to obtain the total EEG score. The correlations of total EEG score with total MRI score and total Sarnat score (TSS, used to evaluate clinical gradings) were analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis. The total EEG score was compared among the neonates with different clinical gradings and among the neonates with different head MRI gradings. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under thecurve (AUC) were used to evaluate the value of total EEG score in diagnosing moderate/severe head MRI abnormalities and clinical moderate/severe HIE, which was then compared with the aEEG grading method.

RESULTS

A total of 50 neonates with HIE were included. The total EEG score was positively correlated with the total head MRI score and TSS (r_s=0.840 and 0.611 respectively, P<0.001). There were significant differences in the total EEG score between different clinical grading groups and different head MRI grading groups (P<0.05). The total EEG score and the aEEG grading method had an AUC of 0.936 and 0.617 respectively in judging moderate/severe head MRI abnormalities (P<0.01) and an AUC of 0.887 and 0.796 respectively in judging clinical moderate/severe HIE (P>0.05). The total EEG scores of ≤6 points, 7-13 points, and ≥14 points were defined as mild, moderate, and severe EEG abnormalities respectively, which had the best consistency with clinical grading and head MRI grading (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The new EEG background scoring method can quantitatively reflect the severity of brain injury and can be used for the judgment of brain function in neonates with HIE.

The Utility of Simulation-Based Training in Teaching Frontline Providers Modified Sarnat Encephalopathy Examination: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

BACKGROUND

Limited training in targeted neurological examination makes it challenging for frontline providers to identify newborns with perinatal asphyxia eligible for therapeutic hypothermia. This training is important in the era of telemedicine, where the experts can remotely guide further care of these newborns.

METHODS

This randomized controlled pilot study was conducted in a South Indian tertiary hospital. Neonatal nurses, who had no previous hands-on experience in MSEE, were trained in modified Sarnat staging by a didactic teaching session using online teaching module. The nurses were then randomized into two groups for hands-on demonstration by the same trainer (low-fidelity mannequin versus a healthy term newly born infant). After the training period, MSEEs of a normal newborn were performed independently by nurses and were video recorded and assessed by three blinded neonatologists with expertise in neonatal neurology. A follow-up examination was performed by the same nurses after three months to assess skill retention.

RESULTS

The 10 global ratings of the components of the MSEE were comparable among both groups in both initial and follow-up assessments. The overall diagnostic value was comparable between the simulation and traditional groups (93.75%, 94.11%, respectively). Follow-up examination after three months showed better skill retention in the simulation group (84%) compared with the traditional group (66.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Online-based and low-fidelity mannequin training was equally effective as the traditional method of teaching MSEE in term neonates.

Diagnostic role of optic nerve sheath diameter and brain blood flow in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

PURPOSE

The primary aim was to study the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measurements and cerebral blood flows in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) who were at risk of cerebral edema and to compare the measurements with healthy neonates.

METHODS

Neonates diagnosed as Stage II and III HIE patients were enrolled in the study group. ONSD measurements and blood flow Doppler studies in the first 24-48 h of life during hypothermia and following hypothermia treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and transfontanelle ultrasonography were performed within the first 4-7 days of life in all HIE patients. Saved US and MRI images were assessed by a blind pediatric radiologist later on.

RESULTS

Data from a total of 63 infants (42 in the HIE group and 21 in the control group) were analyzed. Both the right and left ONSD measurements were comparable between HIE and control groups. However, both resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of the middle cerebral artery were found to be significantly lower in HIE (0.69 ± 0.09 and 1.14 (0.98-1.30)) group when compared with controls (0.75 ± 0.04 and 1.41 (1.25-1.52)) (p < 0.01). Ultrasonographic ONSD measurements were significant and strongly correlated with MRI ONSD measurements for both sides (r = 0.91 and r = 0.93, p < 0.01). Doppler studies during normothermia were comparable with the control group and significantly increased following therapeutic hypothermia.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasonographic ONSD measurements can be reliably performed in term neonates with high compatibility to MRI. No significant effect on ONSD measurements was found related to asphyxia and therapeutic hypothermia despite the significant alteration observed in Doppler studies.

The loop diuretic torasemide but not azosemide potentiates the anti-seizure and disease-modifying effects of midazolam in a rat model of birth asphyxia

Loop diuretics such as furosemide and bumetanide, which act by inhibiting the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter NKCC2 at the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, have been shown to exert anti-seizure effects. However, the exact mechanism of this effect is not known. For bumetanide, it has been suggested that inhibition of the NKCC isoform NKCC1 in the membrane of brain neurons may be involved; however, NKCC1 is expressed by virtually all cell types in the brain, which makes any specific targeting of neuronal NKCC1 by bumetanide impossible. In addition, bumetanide only poorly penetrates the brain. We have previously shown that loop diuretics azosemide and torasemide also potently inhibit NKCC1. In contrast to bumetanide and furosemide, azosemide and torasemide lack a carboxylic group, which should allow them to better penetrate through biomembranes by passive diffusion. Because of the urgent medical need to develop new treatments for neonatal seizures and their adverse outcome, we evaluated the effects of azosemide and torasemide, administered alone or in combination with phenobarbital or midazolam, in a rat model of birth asphyxia and neonatal seizures. Neither diuretic suppressed the seizures when administered alone but torasemide potentiated the anti-seizure effect of midazolam. Brain levels of torasemide were below those needed to inhibit NKCC1. In addition to suppressing seizures, the combination of torasemide and midazolam, but not midazolam alone, prevented the cognitive impairment of the post-asphyxial rats at 3 months after asphyxia. Furthermore, aberrant mossy fiber sprouting in the hippocampus was more effectively prevented by the combination. We assume that either an effect on NKCC1 at the blood-brain barrier and/or cells in the periphery or the NKCC2-mediated diuretic effect of torasemide are involved in the present findings. Our data suggest that torasemide may be a useful option for improving the treatment of neonatal seizures and their adverse outcome.

[A neonatal intelligent regulation system based on the combination of mild hypothermia mattress and hyperbaric oxygen chamber: introduction to a patent]

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a common disease that affects brain function in neonates. At present, mild hypothermia and hyperbaric oxygen therapy are the main methods for the treatment of neonatal HIE; however, they are independent of each other and cannot be combined for synchronous treatment, without monitoring of brain function-related physiological information. In addition, parameter setting of hyperbaric oxygen chamber and mild hypothermia mattress relies on the experience of the medical practitioner, and the parameters remain unchanged throughout the medical process. This article proposes a new device for the treatment of neonatal HIE, which has the modules of hyperbaric oxygen chamber and mild hypothermic mattress, so that neonates can receive the treatment of hyperbaric oxygen chamber and/or mild hypothermic mattress based on their conditions. Meanwhile, it can realize the real-time monitoring of various physiological information, including amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram, electrocardiogram, and near-infrared spectrum, which can monitor brain function, heart rate, rhythm, myocardial blood supply, hemoglobin concentration in brain tissue, and blood oxygen saturation. In combination with an intelligent control algorithm, the device can intelligently regulate parameters according to the physiological information of neonates and give recommendations for subsequent treatment.

Radiomics based of deep medullary veins on susceptibility-weighted imaging in infants: predicting the severity of brain injury of neonates with perinatal asphyxia

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to apply radiomics analysis of the change of deep medullary veins (DMV) on susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), and to distinguish mild hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) from moderate-to-severe HIE in neonates.

METHODS

A total of 190 neonates with HIE (24 mild HIE and 166 moderate-to-severe HIE) were included in this study. All of them were born at 37 gestational weeks or later. The DMVs were manually included in the regions of interest (ROI). For the purpose of identifying optimal radiomics features and to construct Rad-scores, 1316 features were extracted. LASSO regression was used to identify the optimal radiomics features. Using the Red-score and the clinical independent factor, a nomogram was constructed. In order to evaluate the performance of the different models, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was applied. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was implemented to evaluate the clinical utility.

RESULTS

A total of 15 potential predictors were selected and contributed to Red-score construction. Compared with the radiomics model, the nomogram combined model incorporating Red-score and urea nitrogen did not better distinguish between the mild HIE and moderate-to-severe HIE group. For the training cohort, the AUC of the radiomics model and the combined nomogram model was 0.84 and 0.84. For the validation cohort, the AUC of the radiomics model and the combined nomogram model was 0.80 and 0.79, respectively. The addition of clinical characteristics to the nomogram failed to distinguish mild HIE from moderate-to-severe HIE group.

CONCLUSION

We developed a radiomics model and combined nomogram model as an indicator to distinguish mild HIE from moderate-to-severe HIE group.

Distribution of IntraThalamic Injury According to Nuclei and Vascular Territories in Children With Term Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury

BACKGROUND

Term hypoxic-ischemic injury (HII) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is described as the basal ganglia thalamus [BGT], watershed [WS], or combined [BGT/WS] groups. We aimed to determine differences between HII groups in intrathalamic distribution.

METHODS

Delayed MRIs of children with HII and thalamic injury were reviewed. Custom tools were placed over T2-weighted and/or fluid-attenuated inversion recovery axial images to determine distribution of intrathalamic injury: (1) six subjective (whole/near-whole, central, anterior, posterior, lateral, medial); (2) four nuclear (anterior [AN], ventrolateral [VLN], medial [MN], and pulvinar [PN]); and (3) three arterial (thalamoperforating arteries [TPA], thalamogeniculate arteries [TGA], and posterior choroidal arteries [PCA]) locations. We compared the frequency of injury of the aforementioned intrathalamic locations between HII groups.

RESULTS

The 128 children (mean age at MRI 7.35 ± 3.6 years) comprised 41% (n = 53) BGT, 26% (n = 33) WS, and 33% (n = 42) BGT/WS. The VLN was the most frequent injured nuclear region (66%, n = 85), and the TGA (93%, n = 128) was the most frequent arterial region involved. VLN injury occurred more frequently in the BGT group (P < 0.001), PN in the WS group (P < 0.001), and AN (P < 0.001), MN (P < 0.001), PN (P = 0.001), and all nuclei together (P < 0.001) in the BGT/WS group. The combination of all vascular territories was significantly associated with BGT/WS (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

There are significant differences in intrathalamic nuclear and arterial injuries between the different types of HII.

Glucose-to-lactate ratio and neurodevelopment in infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: an observational study

We aimed to assess the glucose and lactate kinetics during therapeutic hypothermia (TH) in infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and its relationship with longitudinal neurodevelopment. We measured glucose and lactate concentrations before TH and on days 2 and 3 in infants with mild, moderate, and severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Neurodevelopment was assessed at 2 years. Participants were grouped according to the neurodevelopmental outcome into favorable (FO) or unfavorable (UFO). Eighty-eight infants were evaluated at follow-up, 34 for the FO and 54 for the UFO group. Severe hypo- (< 2.6 mmol/L) and hyperglycemia (> 10 mmol/L) occurred in 18% and 36% from the FO and UFO groups, respectively. Glucose-to-lactate ratio on day 1 was the strongest predictor of unfavorable metabolic outcome (OR 3.27 [Formula: see text] 1.81, p = 0.032) when adjusted for other clinical and metabolic variables, including Sarnat score.

CONCLUSION

Glucose-to-lactate ratio on day 1 may represent a new risk marker for infants with HIE undergoing TH.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Glucose and lactate are key metabolic fuels during neonatal hypoglycemia. This suggests that their concentrations may influence the neurodevelopmental outcome of neonates experiencing hypoxic-hischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

WHAT IS NEW

• We describe the relative availbility of glucose and lactate before and during theraputic hypothermia in neonates with HIE.

Limbic pathway vulnerability associates with neurologic outcome in children after cardiac arrest

AIM

To analyze whether brain connectivity sequences including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) identify vulnerable brain regions and networks associated with neurologic outcome after pediatric cardiac arrest.

METHODS

Children aged 2 d-17 y with cardiac arrest were enrolled in one of 2 parent studies at a single center. Clinically indicated brain MRI with DTI and rsfMRI and performed within 2 weeks after arrest were analyzed. Tract-wise fractional anisotropy (FA) and axial, radial, and mean diffusivity assessed DTI, and functional connectivity strength (FCS) assessed rsfMRI between outcome groups. Unfavorable neurologic outcome was defined as Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category score 4-6 or change > 1 between 6 months after arrest vs baseline.

RESULTS

Among children with DTI (n = 28), 57% had unfavorable outcome. Mean, radial, axial diffusivity and FA of varying direction of magnitude in the limbic tracts, including the right cingulum parolfactory, left cingulum parahippocampal, corpus callosum forceps major, and corpus callosum forceps minor tracts, were associated with unfavorable neurologic outcome (p < 0.05). Among children with rsfMRI (n = 12), 67% had unfavorable outcome. Decreased FCS in the ventromedial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, insula, precentral gyrus, anterior cingulate, and inferior parietal lobule were correlated regionally with unfavorable neurologic outcome (p < 0.05 Family-Wise Error corrected).

CONCLUSION

Decreased multimodal connectivity measures of paralimbic tracts were associated with unfavorable neurologic outcome after pediatric cardiac arrest. Longitudinal analysis correlating brain connectivity sequences with long term neuropsychological outcomes to identify the impact of pediatric cardiac arrest in vulnerable brain networks over time appears warranted.

Risk factors for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy or neonatal death in placental abruption

OBJECTIVE

To identify risk factors for moderate or severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), or neonatal death in clinical placental abruption.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A nested case-control study within a cohort of singleton pregnancies complicated by placental abruption with a live born infant at two academic reference centers in France, from 2006 to 2019. Cases were patients who gave birth to an infant with moderate or severe HIE or death within 28 days (HIE/death group), and controls were patients whose infant did not have any of these outcomes (no-HIE group). Independent risk factors were identified by logistic regression. Binary decision tree discriminant (CART) analysis was performed to define high-risk subgroups of HIE or death.

RESULTS

Among 152 patients, the infants of 44 (29%) had HIE or death. Out-of-hospital placental abruption and fetal bradycardia at admission were more frequent in cases than in controls: 39 (89%) vs 61 (56%), p < .01 and 24 (59%) vs 19 (18%), p < .01, respectively. In multivariate analysis, out-of-hospital placental abruption (aOR, 7.05; 95% CI, 1.94-25.66) and bradycardia at admission (aOR, 8.60; 95% CI, 2.51-29.42) were independently associated with an increased risk of HIE or death. The combination of out-of-hospital placental abruption and bradycardia was the highest risk situation associated with HIE or death (67%). The decision-to-delivery interval was 15 [12-20] minutes among cases.

CONCLUSION

Out-of-hospital placental abruption combined with bradycardia at admission was associated with a major risk of moderate or severe HIE or death. An optimal decision-to-delivery interval does not guarantee the absence of an adverse neonatal outcome.

Correlation analysis of NT-proBNP (N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide), 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, HMGB1(High-mobility group box 1), ACTA (endogenous activin A), blood glucose level, and electrolyte level with developmental quotient scores in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

BACKGROUND

To investigate the correlation between N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-(OH) D), high-mobility group box 1(HMGB1), endogenous activin A (ACTA), blood glucose level, electrolyte levels and developmental quotient (DQ) scores of Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

METHODS

In this retrospective study, a total of 90 neonates diagnosed with HIE who were admitted to our hospital from January 2018 to June 2021 were retrospectively enrolled, and 40 healthy full-term neonates born in our hospital during the same period were randomly selected. Neonates with HIE and healthy conditions were set as the study group and control group, respectively. Neonates with HIE are divided into three subgroups, mild, moderate, and severe, based on the severity of HIE. The Gesell Developmental Scale (GDS) was used to assess neural development of neonates at 9 to 12 months postnatal. Biomarkers of peripheral venous blood were measured and collected in all neonates, including NT-proBNP, (25-(OH) D), HMGB1, ACTA, electrolyte levels and blood glucose levels. General demographic information and Apgar score were compared between the two groups. The differences between the two groups of biomarkers were compared and the correlation between these biomarkers and DQ scores was evaluated.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in gestational age, maternal age, gender, way of birth, birth weight, gestational age and whether the mother was a primipara between the two groups (P>0.05). The 10 min Apgar score of the study group (5.87±0.36) was lower than that of the control group (9.37±0.32) with significant difference (P<0.05). The levels of NT-proBNP, HMGB1, and ACTA in the study group were higher than that in the control group (243.87±21.29 pmol/L vs. 116.98±22.19 pmol/L; 8.92±1.87 μg/L vs. 3.28±1.08 μg/L; 23.78±0.89 ng/ml vs. 2.98±0.38 ng/ml), while the levels of 25-(OH) D and electrolyte levels were lower than that in the control group (24.28±1.87 vs. 31.29±1.93; K+: 4.49±0.23 mmol/L vs. 4.73±0.21 mmol/L; Na+: 118.76±13.02 mmol/L vs. 134.28±12.29 mmol/L; Ca2+: 1.77±0.23 mmol/L vs. 2.35±0.26 mmol/L; Mg2+: 0.61±0.17 mmol/L vs. 0.91±0.17 mmol/L), with statistically significant differences (P<0.001). The levels of NT-probNP, HMGB1, ACTA and the incidence of hypoglycemia were the highest in the severe group, which were significantly higher than those in the moderate group and mild group (P<0.05). The levels of NT-probNP, HMGB1, ACTA and the incidence of hypoglycemia were the lowest in the mild group. The 25-(OH) D level, the incidence of hyperglycemia and electrolyte levels were the lowest in the severe group, which were significantly lower than those in the moderate and mild groups (all P<0.05). Meanwhile, the 25-(OH) D level, the incidence of hyperglycemia and electrolyte levels in the moderate group were lower than those in the mild group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The incidence of hyperglycemia in severe group (16 cases) was the lowest, significantly lower than that in moderate group (17 cases) and mild group (22 cases), and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). The DQ scores of HIE neonates were negatively correlated with NT-proBNP, HMGB1, and ACTA (r=-0.671, -0.421, -0.518, all P< 0.001). The DQ scores was positively correlated with levels of 25-(OH) D and blood glucose level (r =0.621, 0.802, all P< 0.001). The DQ scores was also positively correlated with levels of potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium (0.367, 0.782, 0.218, 0.678, all P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The NT-proBNP, HMGB1, ACTA, 25-(OH) D, blood glucose levels and electrolyte levels are correlated with the severity of HIE, and developmental quotient scores in neonates with HIE. These biomarkers are suggestive for assessing the prognosis of neonate with HIE.

Two Useful Umbilical Biomarkers for Therapeutic Hypothermia Decision in Patients with Hypoxic İschemic Encephalopathy with Perinatal Asphyxia: Netrin-1 and Neuron Specific Enolase

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) has a high risk of mortality in addition to serious neurological damage. In this study, we investigated the values of umbilical cord netrin-1 (NT-1) and neuron specific enolase (NSE) levels in the early diagnosis of HIE stage II/III induced by neonatal asphyxia. In the study group, infants with gestational age ≥ 36 weeks who were diagnosed with HIE II/III were included. NT-1 and NSE levels were measured from the umbilical cord immediately after birth. Results were compared between HIE II/III and the healthy control group. Cutoff values for serum NT-1 and NSE were determined with receiver-operating characteristics curves and the area under the curve (AUC) was used to determine the diagnostic value of NT-1 and NSE levels in infants diagnosed with HIE II/III. NT-1 (358.3 ± 108.3 pg/mL) and NSE (52.97 ± 17.8 ng/mL) levels in the cord blood in the HIE group were significantly higher (p = .030, p = .001, respectively) than cord blood values in the control group (NT-1 (275.1 ± 84.6 pg/mL) and NSE (28.7 ± 16.3 ng/mL)). NT-1 cutoff value for HIE was 292.3 pg/mL and 34.7 ng/mL for NSE (AUC: 990, sensitivity: 94%, specificity 100% and AUC: 1.0, sensitivity: 100% vs. specificity 100%, respectively). NT-1 and NSE represent candidate biomarkers with high reliability in the prediction in newborns with moderate-to-severe HIE.