Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy: Neonatal Encephalopathy (10-Mar-2003)

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), also known as neonatal encephalopathy (NE), is one systemic manifestation of a broader syndrome of perinatal asphyxia syndrome (PAS). Management of foals presenting with signs consistent with a diagnosis of HIE requires the clinician to fully examine other body systems and provide therapy directed at treating other involved systems [1]. While PAS primarily manifests as HIE, the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys are frequently affected by peripartum hypoxia/ischemia/asphyxia and complications associated with these systems should be expected. The cardiovascular and respiratory systems may also be affected and endocrine disorders are not uncommon. HIE has been recognized as one of the most common diseases of the equine neonate for decades [2-4]. It has been known in the past as dummy foal syndrome and as neonatal maladjustment syndrome (Fig. 1).