57 EARLY PROGNOSIS OF POST-ASPHYXIAL ENCEPHALOPATHY IN TERM NEONATES: A CHALLENGE TO NEONATOLOGISTS

Nowadays, Intensive Care including hyperventilation makes difficult the clinical evaluation of asphyxiated term neonates. In order to precise the early prognosis of perinatal asphyxia, 35 fullterm neonates with moderate or severe post-asphyxial encephalopathy (Sarnat) were studied by means of ultrasonography (US), Doppler and electroencephalopathy (EEG). 18 infants died and the 17 survivors were prospectively followed-up. 4 developed a major handicap (cerebral palsy, seizures). Diffuse US echodensities, Resistance Index < 0.55, isoelectric, low voltage or paroxystic EEG's were considered as abnormal parameters in determing adverse outcome (death or severe handicap).