In neurology, hypoxic brain injury (hypoxia) is often associated with anoxic brain injury. Hypoxic brain injury results from a reduced supply of oxygen to the brain, while an anoxic brain injury results from a complete cutoff of the brain’s oxygen supply. Physicians sometimes use the abbreviation HAI or Hypoxic-Anoxic Injury.
Both injuries result in brain cell death (apoptosis). Brain cells (neurons) can begin to die off after 4 minutes without oxygen. In this discussion, we’ll look more closely at hypoxic brain injury and, more specifically, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a specific type of injury in which the brain receives some oxygen, but this level of oxygen is insufficient and neurons begin to die off. This particular condition refers to an oxygen deficiency in the brain as a whole, rather than a specific part of the brain.
Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) often results in partial brain damage and severe physical and cognitive impairment. HIE is a common injury sustained by new born infants who are partially deprived of oxygen during delivery, but HIE can be also be used to describe any injury from low oxygen levels in the brain.
What are the Causes of Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy?
Hypoxic brain injury is a common childbirth injury, but can also be caused by a few different environmental conditions, diseases, or accidents such as:
- Blocked or ruptured blood vessel
- Carbon monoxide or cyanide poisoning
- Cardiac arrest
- Choking
- Complications from general anesthesia
- Compression or injury to the trachea that reduces or stops breathing
- Diseases or drugs that cause respiratory paralysis
- Drowning
- Drug overdose
- Extremely low blood pressure
- High altitudes
- Lack of oxygen due to smoke inhalation
- Respiratory failure
- Strangulation
Hypoxic Ischemia Encephalopathy in Newborns
During childbirth, HIE risk may be reduced or eliminated through early recognition of the risk factors. With respect to personal injury lawsuits, most claims involving HIE are based on medical negligence or malpractice allegations. When reasonable medical care and/or action is not implemented, HIE may be the result of negligence on behalf of a healthcare provider. The following include common risk factors for HIE during delivery:
- Prolapsed cord (the umbilical cord drops into the birth canal, ahead of the baby – posing risk of entanglement)
- Placental abruption (the placenta partially or completely separates from uterus)
- Ruptured blood vessels (referred to as vasa previa)
- Uterine rupture (a tear in the wall of the uterus – sometimes caused by incisions made during a C-section)
- Umbilical cord complications (compression, entanglement – strangulation)
HIE and Personal Injury Lawsuits
In most cases, HIE is sudden and cannot be prevented. CPR is given to adults who experience HIE, but the circumstances are different for newborn babies. Often, the injury is discovered in the days after delivery. The leading condition caused by HIE is cerebral palsy (CP). CP is a lifelong disability and often requires permanent special care for the patient.
References:
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