Neonatal Encephalopathy and Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: moving from controversy to consensus definitions

Abstract

Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is a “clinical syndrome of disturbed neurologic function in the first week after birth in an infant born at or beyond 35 weeks of gestation, manifest by a subnormal level of consciousness or seizures, often accompanied by difficulty with initiating and maintaining respiration, and depression of tone and reflexes.”1,2 This broad clinical definition does not specify subgroups, etiology, or guide management.3,4,5 This editorial aims to describe variations in the definition of neonatal encephalopathy and etiological subgroups of NE used in research and clinical practice. Our group aims to develop consensus definitions to improve understanding of diagnosis and treatment and to help improve how families are informed about these conditions.