Correlation of Clinical Profile and Electroencephalographic Finding in Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Single-Center Experience from Bangladesh

Background: Perinatal asphyxia and resultant hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is not an uncommon phenomenon in a developing country, like Bangladesh. Electroencephalogram (EEG) is regarded as an effective prognostic tool. Correlation of clinical profiles and EEG findings of HIE patients arenot commonly observed in Bangladesh. The aim of the study was to observe the clinical profile and EEG changes in different stages of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and compare them in a tertiary care hospital.Material & Methods:This is a cross-sectional observational study conducted for a period of six months in Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka. Sarnat and Sarnat score was used to classify HIE. 20 asphyxiated neonates without HIE were selected as the control group (group II) while 30asphyxiated neonates with HIE, were selected as the case group (group I) by purposive sampling. Clinical profiles, EEG findings, and immediate outcomes were observed and compared between the two groups.Results:73.3% patients were delivered at term and 30% patients were delivered at home in group I. 70% patients’ delivery were conducted by doctor in group I and 75% in group II. 63.3% patients had meconium stain in group I and 25% in group II, which was found significant. 46.7% had prolong labor in group I and 20% in group II, 40% had premature ruptured membrane (PROM) in group I and 40% in group II. Hypothermia, weak primitive reflexes, hypotonia, lethargy and seizure were significantly higher in group I. Changes in EEG correlated between the two groups and was found significant. Also, patients in group I, needed prolong hospital stay.Conclusions:The clinical profiles and EEG changes in patients with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy was concluded that there is significant association with meconium stain, seizure, hypothermia, weak primitive reflexes, lethargic, miosis, hypotonia, poor APGAR score, burst suppression & SET findings in EEG and prolonged hospital stay in prenatal asphyxia with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.