Causes and Consequences of HIE
This damage often occurs during birth, due to accidents such as uterine rupture, knot in the umbilical cord, cord wrapped around the baby's neck, breech birth or other difficult births. HIE can also be a result of stroke, drowning, hanging, or any other event that cuts off oxygen and blood flow to the brain. Damage can occur within minutes and is irreversible.
The damage can also occur in utero. In some instances of babies born with HIE, the cause is never determined. The damage in children diagnosed with HIE can range from mild to severe. EEGs, MRIs and CAT scans are used to determine the severity and location of the brain injury.
This damage can be an underlying cause of cerebral palsy, mental retardation, dysphagia, cortical vision impairment or blindness, hearing impairment or deafness, microcephaly, temperature instability, chronic lung disease, and seizures. Prognosis given is often bleak in terms of the child's future abilities or quality of life. However, every child with disabilities is unique in his or her strengths and needs.
Therapies for HIE Patients
There is no treatment for HIE per se. Therapies can help with muscle tone and control, oral muscle development, and vision in the case of cortical vision impairment. Traditional therapies include physical therapy for gross motor control, occupational therapy for small muscle control, and speech and language therapy. Oral stimulation is a form of therapy that is done by either the OT or the SLT depending on their particular qualifications.
There are many alternative therapies that can be attempted as well, although the benefits of these are not proven. Very little is found on the web or anywhere else about this condition. Because it is an underlying condition of so many disabilities, specialists often know about their own specialty only and not the other needs that the child has. This makes it hard for the parent to coordinate care and be sure to adequately address all of the child's needs.
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