Neonatal Neurology and Developmental Care Flashcards

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in a term neonate is most accurately assessed using which scoring system?

Answer: Sarnat or Thompson staging of HIE severity

Sarnat and Thompson staging systems assess the severity of HIE based on neurological signs, guiding decisions about therapeutic hypothermia.

Therapeutic hypothermia (whole-body cooling) for HIE is initiated within what time window to be effective?

Answer: Within 6 hours of birth

Therapeutic hypothermia must be initiated within 6 hours of birth to interrupt the secondary energy failure phase and reduce neuronal death.

Which neonatal seizure type is most commonly missed because it lacks classic convulsive movements?

Answer: Subtle seizures (lip smacking, eye deviation, bicycling movements)

Subtle seizures manifest as lip smacking, eye deviation, bicycling of the legs, or apnea and are easily missed without continuous EEG monitoring.

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is most commonly graded using which system in neonates?

Answer: Papile grading system (Grades I-IV)

The Papile grading system classifies IVH from Grade I (subependymal only) to Grade IV (parenchymal involvement), guiding prognosis and management.

Which factor is the strongest predictor of IVH in premature neonates?

Answer: Lower gestational age and birth weight

IVH risk is inversely related to gestational age and birth weight; extremely premature infants have the most fragile germinal matrix vasculature.

Which intervention has been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of IVH in premature neonates?

Answer: Antenatal corticosteroids administered to the mother

Antenatal corticosteroids accelerate fetal brain maturation and vascular stability, significantly reducing the incidence and severity of IVH in premature infants.